THE 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY, 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



1638-1889. 



BY 



ALFRED SERENO HUDSON. 



There is no pas\so loiQ^s books shall live. — Bulwer. 




PUBLISHED BY 

THE TOWN OF SUDBURY. 

1889. 






JU.I 






Copyright, 188'J, 

BY 

Alfred s. II i dson. 



PRINTED \:\ R. II. BLODGETT, 
30 Bromfield St., Jioston. 




^4/AacI X ff^uCt 



t^^ 



TO MY FAMILY, 

AND THE 

FAMILIES PAST AND PRESENT OF SUDBURY, 

gMs History 

IS AFFECTIONATELY AND RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 

BY THE AUTHOR. 



TO MY FAMILY, 

AND THE 

FAMILIES PAST AND PRESENT OF SUDBURY, 



<s 



i'j 



IS AFFECTIONATELY AND RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 

BY THE AUTHOR. 



PREFACE. 



In submitting this volume to the public, we do not 
expect to be so fortunate as to have avoided all mistakes. 
We hope, however, that it contains as few as could be 
expected in a work relating to so broad a field of facts and 
so long a period of time. The following statements con- 
cerning the general plan of the work may assist the reader 
to a fairer estimate of its merits. 

The primary object of the writer has been to present the 
annals or general history of Sudbury. The age of the town, 
its importance and prominence in the past, and the fullness 
of its records have left no room for complete genealogies, 
and partial sketches of families or individuals have been 
given only so far as pertains to the general design of the 
work. 

The second object has been to make the book readable. 
If a local history is to be read it must be more than a col- 
lection of statistics, or quotations from records, or a compila- 
tion of facts given apart from their relation to each other 
or to events in the country at large. To accomplish the 
second object, whenever local events have been connected 
with general history, we have taken the space for the 
latter which we considered essential to show this connec- 
tion, and thus to broaden the view of the reader and add 
interest to the subject. As, for example, the statement 
that some French Neutrals were for a time cared for by 
the inhabitants of Sudbury might be invested with no in- 



VI. PREFACE. 

terest to the general reader, and soon be forgotten, unless 
somewhat of the history of those unfortunates was also 
given. Secondly, we have intended, while we have not 
neglected minor tilings, to give greater prominence to events 
in which the general public is most interested. Thirdly, in 
some instances when we have quoted records verbatim, we 
have also taken space to give the same in our own language 
that, by enlarging upon the events recorded, we might add 
prominence and interest. 

In gathering historic material we have relied upon orig- 
inal sources of information, except in such instances as the 
reputation of an author has warranted us in accepting of 
his statements. The original sources from which we have 
drawn are the voluminous mass of town records, the loose, 
fragmentary papers of the Stearns Collection, the State 
Archives, the traditions of old inhabitants, and histories 
whose authors were contemporaneous with the events they 
recorded. The first source referred to consists of several 
large record books, the first of which dates from the begin- 
ning of the settlement, and is followed by a series of well- 
kept books containing a detailed and unbroken record of the 
transactions of the old historic town. These books cover a 
space of two hundred and fifty years, and in instances the 
paper is worn and the writing illegible. The Stearns Col- 
lection is made up of manuscripts which were gathered by 
Dr. Thomas Stearns of Sudbury. Some of these bear an 
early date, and eonsi>t of deeds, wills, journals or diaries, 
and fragmentary bits of information. The State Archives 
contain valuable information not found in the town books. 
This is especially so as regards the early wars. The town 
books contain but little about the war with King Philip, and 
the conflicts that occurred during the last of the seventeenth 
and the first of the eighteenth century, and also but little 
about the French and Indian wars. 



PREFACE. Vll. 

The old inhabitants referred to are some who are now 
living and some who have passed away since this work was 
commenced. Among the former are Mr. John Maynard, 
Capt. James Moore and Mr. James S. Draper of Wayland. 
Among the latter are C. G. Cutler, Esq., Mr. Josiah Haynes, 
Mrs. Samuel Jones, Mrs. J. P. Allen, Mr. Reuben Rice of 
Concord and Mr. Abel Heard of Wayland, formerly East 
Sudbury. We have also obtained valuable information from 
local histories of modern date. 

In our system of arrangement, we have combined the 
chronological with the topical ; that is, we have, since 1650, 
considered the history of the town in successive periods of 
a quarter century each, taking topically, in the main, the 
events which each contained. We consider the advantage 
of this system to be that, after a careful perusal of this work, 
the reader will be able to take a general view of the town 
in all its relations — civil, social, and religious — at any 
period of its history. 

In the selection of material we have been guided by the 
main object of the history, namely, to give a correct and 
vivid impression of times, characters, and events. 

We have endeavored not to pass lightly by any event that 
had an especially formative or far-reaching influence ; but, 
in the history of two hundred and fifty years of a town once 
the largest in the county, it may be expected that much will 
be left out which would otherwise be gathered up. 

In making reference to the town books the page has been 
generally omitted, partly to save space, partly because some 
of the books are not paged, and partly because the date suf- 
ficiently indicates the place where the record may be found. 

In seeking information we have been kindly received, 
and we extend our thanks to all those who have rendered 
assistance, and to all who, by the confidence they have 
reposed in us and their interest in the work and apprecia- 



Mil. PREFACE. 

tiou of its magnitude, have made the difficult task more 
pleasant. The author would acknowledge his indebtedness 
to the members of his own family for substantial aid : and 
especially to Mrs. 1.. R. Hudson, who lias shared with him 
in the arduous work, and without whose sympathy, encour- 
agement, and assistance, this history would have been longer 
in completion and oi' less value. 

Thanks are also especially due to Mr. Jonas S. Hunt, 
Sudbury's efficient and courteous town clerk, whose hearty 
co-operation as well as substantial assistance demand the 
gratitude o( both the town and the author. 

Thanks are due to Mr. John Ward Dean, Librarian of the 
New England Historic-Genealogical Society, for kindly giv- 
ing aeeess to the books of the Society, Mr. flames S. Draper 
of Wayland, for his assistance in locating and drawing a 
map of the early homesteads of the settlers, Mr. Asahel 
Balcom o( Maynard, for facts about the north-west district, 
Mr. George 11. Barton of the Institute of Technology, Bos- 
ton, tor preparing a paper on the geology of Sudbury, Miss 
G. A. Goodnow, for facts concerning the Methodist church, 
and others who have furnished valuable information. 

We would also acknowledge the valuable assistance re- 
ceived from Temple's History o( Framingham, Shattuck's 
History of Concord, Saunderson's History of Charlestown, 
N. 11., Reed's History o( Rutland, and Drake's History v( 
Middlesex County. We would also take this occasion to 
express our thanks to the town o( Sudbury for the liberal 
appropriation which has enabled us to complete the work. 

Alfred S. Hudson. 
Avkii, June 1st, L88 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Early Condition of the Country. — Original Boundaries. — Indian 
Names. — Primitive Forests. — Laws concerning Timber. — Clear- 
ings. — Game. — Johnson's Description. — Meaning of "Meadow 
Lands." — " Old Connecticut Path." — Indian Trails, . 



CHAPTER II. 

Indians of Sudbury Territory. — Relics. — Localities where they 
Lived: at Nobscot, the Vicinity of the River, Weir Hill, Cochjt- 
uate. — Names and History of Prominent Indians: Karte, Tan fa- 
mous, Nataous. — Description of Wigwams. — Food. — Charac- 
teristics. — Method of Hunting and Fishing. — Tribal Relations. 
— Nature of their Early Intercourse with the English, . 



CHAPTER III. 

Origin of the Sudbury Settlement. — Why it was formed. — Names 
of Early Settlers : Residents of Watertown, Emigrants from 
England. — Passenger List of the Ship " Confidence." — Tradition 
about John Rutter. — Character of the Settlers. — Biographical 
Sketches, 24 



CHAPTER IV. 

Method of Acquiring Territory. — Character and Jurisdiction of the 
Massachusetts Bay Colony.— Colonial Court. — Response to the 
Petition for a Plantation at Sudbury. — Successive Land Grants. 
— Purchase of Territory. — Indian Deeds. — Incorporation of the 
Town. — Name. — Sketch of Sudbury, Eng. — Town Boundaries, 57 



X. CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER V. 



Place and Plan of Settlement. — Data of House-lots. — Description 
of Map. — Course of First Street. — Sites of Early Homesteads. — 
Historic Highway. — Time of Settlement. — Dimensions of First 
Dwelling-house. — Early Expi of the Settlers, . 



CHAPTER VI. 

Town Meetings. — Their Origin and Character. — Conditions of 
Citizenship. — Freemen. — Place of Town .Meeting. — Town Offi- 
cers. — Highways. — Bridges. — " Indian Bridge." — The " Old 
Town Bridge." — Contracts with Ambrose Leach and Timothy 
Hawkins. — Causeway. Formation of Church. — Settlement of 
First Minister. — Erection of First Meeting-House. — Contract 
with John Kuttcr. — Building of Grist-Mill 83 



CHAPTER VII. 

Land Divisions. — Origin of the Terms " Common " and " Lot." — 
Permission of Colonial Court for Land Division. — Principles 
upon which Land Divisions were Made. — The Meadows a Basis 
of Division. — Meadow Rights, or Meadow Dividends. — Rules 
of Division. — Quantity of Meadow Received in Three Early 
Allotments. — Division of Upland. 1 — Town's Common or Llndi- 
vided Lands. — Proprietors' Common or Undivided Lands. — 
Proprietors' Meetings subsequent to 17(10. — Specimens of their 
Records. — Land Allotments to be Recorded. — Cow Common. — 
Land for the Support of the Ministry. — Reservations for "Plant- 
ing Fields." a "Training Field," a Mill, a Pasture for "Working 
Oxen," Timber Land, 104 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Miscellaneous. — Laws concerning Domestic Animals, birds. Wolves, 
Ammunition and Fire-arms. — Common Planting Fields. — Fence 
Viewers and Fences. — Staple Crops. — Meadow Grass; Abun- 
dance, Time and Price of Cutting, Measures for Improving. — 
Mode of Travel. — Staking the Causeway. — Climate. — Rain and 
Snow Fall. — Occasion of Floods. — Breaking Out Roads. — Care 
of the Poor. — Laws for the Prevention of Povertv Enacted by 
the Town ; by the Province. — Town Action for the Encourage- 
ment of Industry. — Education. — Morality. — Instruction in the 



CONTENTS. XI. 

Use of Fire-arms. — Tything-men. — Stocks. — Lecture Day.— 
Fasts. — Baptism of Infants. — Laws Relating to Labor. — Pay- 
ments Often Made in Produce. — Negroes Bought and Sold.— 
Copy of Bill of Sale. — Schedule of Inhabitants a Century and a 
Half Ago. — Respect Shown by the Use of Titles; by Gratula- 
tion; by Seating in the Meeting-House. — Careful of Dues. — 
Precaution Against Fire. — Borrowing Canoes. — Board of the 
Representatives. — Peculiar Names of Places, . . . .128 



CHAPTER IX. 

Sudbury in the Colonization of Other Towns : Framingham, Marl- 
boro, Worcester, Grafton, Rutland, 151 



CHAPTER X. 

Activity on the West Side of the River. — Early Homesteads.— 
Laying Out of the " New Grant." — Land Allotments. — Owners 
and Occupants. — "The Thirty Rod Highway." — Settlement of 
Marlboro. — The " Hop Brook Mill." — Highway to the New Mill. 
— "Old Lancaster Road." — New Meeting-House; Contract.— 
The " Cow Common " Controversy, 177 



CHAPTER XI. 

1675-1700. 

Philip's War: Sources of Information; Cause and Nature. — Defen- 
sive Measures by the Town: Garrison-Houses; Militia. —Defen- 
sive Measures by the Colony. — Services of the Town outside its 
Limits; List of Men Impressed. - Swamp Fight. — Services of 
Ephraim Curtis among the Nipnets: As a Messenger with Pro- 
posals of Peace; As a. Guide in Captain Hutchinson's Expedi- 
tion.— Signs of Indian Hostilities in and about the Town. — 
Edmund Brown's Letter. — Night Attack on the Indians, and 
Death of Netus, 195 

CHAPTER XII. 

1675-1700. 

Philip's War.— Indian Invasion; Date. — Number of the Enemy. 
— Philip's Preparation.— Indian Powwow. — Movements of the 
English. — General Attackon the Town. — Assault on the Haynes 



Xll. 



CONTEXTS. 



Garrison. -Hostilities on the East Side. -Resistance of the Eng- 
lish. - Arrival of Reinforcements; Concord Company, Watertown 

Company. -The Indians Driven Over the Causeway and Bridge 
- Atfcmpt to Reinforce Captain Wadsworth. -Description Given 
in ' The Old Petition,"' . 



211 



CHAPTER XIII. 
1675-1700. 

Philip's War. -The Sudbury Fight. - Number of Men in Captain 
Wadsworth's Company: The Arrival at Marlboro; The Return 
to Sudbury. -The Ambuscade: Place of It. — Philip's Plan of 
Attack. -Number of Indians. -The Battle. - The Forest Fire 
-Retreat of the English. - Refuge in Hop Brook Mill. -Num- 
ber of the English Slain. -Philip's Loss.- Treatment of Cap- 
tives. — Rescue of the Survivors. - Burial of the Dead -Place 
of Burial. -Biographical Sketches: Captain Wadsworth, Captain 
Brocklebank. - Roxbury Men. - Concord Men. - Marlboro Men 
-The Christian Indians. - Movements of the English after the 
Battle. — Sudbury's Loss ,,.,,, 

CHAPTER XIV. 
1675-1700. 

Revival of Prosperity after Philip's War.-Payment for Fortifica- 
tion of the Meeting-House.- Erection of Saw-Mill at Hop 
Brook. -Death of Rev. Edmund Browne; Place of Burial- LPs 
toncal Sketch. -Settlement of Rev. James Sherman.- Purchase 
of Parsonage.- Building of New Meeting-House.- Political 
Disturbances. -Change of Charter.- Administration of Sir Ed- 
mund Andros.— Indian Hostilities. - The Ten Vers War — 
Distribution of Ammunition.- Petition of Sudbury. — Phipps 
Expedition. - Sudbury Canada Grant. - Witchcraft. - Samuel 
Paris; Historical Sketch.- Incorporation of Framingham.- 
Miscellaneous Matters, . 



. 259 



CHAPTER XV. 

1700-172.-.. 



Educational Advantages: Why so Small.-School Laws by the 
Province. -Town Action. -Grammar School; Location — Mixed 
Schools— Masters—School-Houses—Ecclesiastical Matters - 



CONTENTS. Xlll. 

Dismission of Rev. Mr. Sherman. — « Ordination of Rev. Israel 
Loring. — Division of the Town into Two Precincts; Petitions, 
Remonstrances, Decision of the Court, Subsequent Action of the 
Town. — Call of Mr. Loring by the People of the West Precinct; 
His Acceptance. — Renewal of the Church Covenant by the Peo- 
ple of the West Side; Subscribers Thereto. — Settlement of Rev. 
Mr. Cook in the East Parish. — Building of a Meeting-House on 
the West Side ; Location. — Removal of the East Side Meeting- 
House ; New Location 277 



CHAPTER XVI. 

1700-1725. 

Queen Anne's War; Attendant Hardships. — Father Ralle's War ; 
Eastern Expedition, List of Sudbury Soldiers. — Ranger Service; 
Its Nature. — Death of Samuel Mossman. — Imperiled Condition 
of Rutland. — Death of Rev. Joseph Willard by the Indians.— 
Petition for Assistance. — List of Sudbury Soldiers at Rutland. — 
Captain Wright's Letter. — Lieut. William Brintnall ; His Letter. 
— Province Loans. — River Meadow. — Causeway. — Roads. — 
Miscellaneous. .......... 295 



CHAPTER XVII. 
1725-1750. 

Highways. — Bridges. — Schools. — Movement for a New Town- 
ship ; Remonstrances. — Petition Relating to the River Meadows. 
— Sale of Peter Noyes's Donation of the Hop Brook Mill. — 
Gratuities to the Ministers. — Miscellaneous Matters. . . .305 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

1725-1750. 

Third French and Indian War. — Sudbury Soldiers at Cape Breton. 
— Fort No. 4, N. H. — Capt. Phineas Stevens. — Sketch of His 
Life. — His Service in Connection with the Building and Defense 
of the Fort. — Capt. Josiah Brown. — Engagement with French 
and Indians about the Fort. — Petition of Captain Brown. — Peti- 
tion of Jonathan Stanhope. — Battle between the Forces of Cap- 
tain Stevens and General Debeline. — Expedition of Captain 
Hobbs. — Battle between the Commands of Captain Hobbs and 
Chief Sackett. — Sketch of Capt. Josiah Brown. — List of Captain 
Brown's Troopers, 313 



XIV. CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XIX. 
1750-177."). 

The Work-House.- Regulations of it. — Pest- House at Nobscot. — 
( .raves of Small-Pox Victims.— Pest-Houses on the East Side.— 
Graves of Victims.— Inoculation for the Disease. — Statistics 
Relating to It. — Highway Work. — Lottery for Repairing the 
Causeway. — Schools.— School-Houses. — Fourth French and In- 
dian War. — Causes of It. — Lists of Sudbury Soldiers in Various 
Campaigns. — First and Second Foot Companies. — Alarm List. — 
Troops of Horse. — Battle at Half- Way Brook.— Death of Cap- 
tain Dakin. — Sketch of his Life. — Covenant. — Correspondence. 

— French Neutrals. — Death of Rev. William Cook. — Settle- 
ment of Rev. Josiah Bridge.— Death of Rev. Israel Loring.— 
Sketch of His Life.— Settlement of Rev. Jacob Bigelow.— Divi- 
sion of West Part into Wards. — Powder House. — Noon Houses. 

— Pound. — Measures to Suppress Swindling, . . . .327 



CHAPTER XX. 

1775-1800. 

War of the Revolution. — Causes of It. — Attitude of the Town 
Relative to the Stamp Act. — Instructions to the Representative 
Concerning It. — Report of the Committee Relative to the Impor- 
tation of Tea. — Patriotic Resolutions of the Town. — Instruc- 
tions to its Representatives. — An Old Document Descriptive of 
the Times. — Military Preparations. — Choice of Militia Officers. 
— Organization of Minute Companies. — Names and Captains of 
Companies.— Muster Rolls. — Equipments. — Drill. — Call Roll 
of Captain Nixon's Company. — Military Stores Removed to 
Sudbury. — The Alarm. — The Mustering and March. — The 
Arrival at Concord. — The Encounter at the North Bridge.— 
Retreat of the British. — The Pursuit. — Encounter at Merriam's 
Corner. — At Hardy's Hill. — incident. — Sudbury's Loss. — 
Sketch of Deacon Josiah Haynes. — Sketch of Mr. Asahel Read. 358 



CHAPTER XXI. 
17?:. 1800. 

Revolutionary War. — Sudbury Soldiers at Bunker Hill. — Muster 
Rolls of Captains Russell, Moore, and Haynes. — Battle of bun- 
ker Hill. — Position and Service of the Regiments of Colonels 



CONTENTS. XV. 

Nixon and Brewer. — Number of Casualties. — The Siege of 
Boston.— List of Men in Two Months Service. — List of Men in 
Colonel Whitney's Regiment. — Government Storehouses at Sand 
Hill. — Service outside the State.— List of Officers in Sudbury 
Companies in 1776.'— List of Men in Capt. Aaron Haynes's 
Company. — Men in Captain Wheeler's Company at Ticonderoga; 
in Colonel Robinson's Regiment, in Colonel Read's Regiment.— 
Supplementary List. — Soldiers at Ticonderoga in 1770; in Cap- 
tain Wheeler's Company, Captain Craft's Company, Captain Edg- 
ell's Company, Captain Aaron Haynes's Company. — Canada 
Campaign. — New York Campaign. — Men Enlisted for Three 
Years in 1777. — Guard Roll.— Pay Roll. — List of Two Months 
Men in 1777.— List of Three Months Men in 1777. — Names of 
Sudbury Captains and Companies in the Field in 1778. — Captain 
Maynard's Company. — Captain Wheeler's Company. — Captain 
Moulton's Company. — Captain Haynes's Company. — Captain 
Bowker's Company. — Prices Paid for Enlistment in 1780. . 



383 



CHAPTER XXII. 

1775-1800. 

Revolutionary War.— Report of a Committee Appointed by the 
Town to Estimate the Service of Sudbury Soldiers. — Appoint- 
ment of a Committee to Make up and Bring in Muster Rolls of 
the Services of Each Soldier in the War. — Muster Rolls: Cap- 
tain Rice's, Captain Wheeler's, Captain Maynard's, Captain Cut- 
ting's. — Whole Number of Men in the War. — Their Valiant 
Service. — Casualties. — Sketch of Gen. John Nixon. — Town- 
Meetings. — Encouragements to Enlistment. — Specimen of En- 
listment Papers. — Various Requisitions Made on the Town, . 402 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

1775-1800. 

Attention the Town Bestowed on its Home Needs during the War. 
— Specimen Report of a Town-Meeting. — Attitude of the Town 
towards the Measures of Boston Merchants relative to the Re 
duction of Prices. — Appointment of Delegate to a Convention 
Called for the Purpose of Framing a New Constitution. — Com- 
mittee Appointed to Regulate Prices. — Report of Committee.— 
Vote on the New Constitution. — Educational Matters. — Division 
of the Town. — Committee on a Line of Division. — Committee 
Appointed to Present a Remonstrance to the Court —Instructions 



XV1 - CONTENTS. 

to the Committee. — Act of the Court Authorizing a Division. — 
Committee Appointed to Make a Division of the Money and Real 
Estate.— Report of the Committee.— Appointment of Other Com- 
mittees. — Financial Report.— Official Boards for 1780 and 1781. 

Miscellaneous. — Shay's Rebellion.— Erection of Meeting-House. 

— Miscellaneous, air 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

1800-1825. 

Early Families Residing in Sudbury about the Beginning of the 
Present Century. — Families Who Came into Sudbury during the 
Interval between the Formation of the Town and about the Mid- 
dle of the Present Century. — Biographical Sketches, . . .432 



CHAPTER XXV. 
1800-1825. 

Continuation of Old Customs to the Beginning of the Present Cen- 
tury. — Inventory in a Will of 1806. — Extracts from an Old 
Account Book. — Description of Manners and Customs by an Old 
Inhabitant. — Changes in the Early Part of the Nineteenth Cen- 
tury. — Extract from "Fireside Hymns."— Highway Work.— 
North Sudbury Road.— South Sudbury Road.— Rebuilding Wash 
Bridge. — Railing the Causeway. — Setting out Willow Trees. — 
Rebuilding the Canal Bridge. — Miscellaneous. — Educational 
Matters. — Report of School Committee in 1802. — Removal of 
Centre School-House to the Common.— Singing Society.— Church 
.Music. — Military Matters. — Patriotic Attitude Assumed by the 
Town. — Mone) Pledged to Soldiers as Wages.— As Bounty.— 
Patriotic Resolutions. — Militia Officers.— How Chosen.— Where. 

— Specimen of Company Order. — Soldiers in 1812. — Wages per 
Day. — Settlement of Rev. Timothy Hilliard. — Ordaining" Coun- 
cil. — Dismission. — Bill Allowed for Entertaining the Dismissing 
Council. — Sketch of Mr. Hilliard. — Appointment of a Day of 
Fasting and Prayer Relative to the Settlement of a New Minister. 

— Call Extended to Rev. Rufus Hurlbut. — Accepted. — Death of 
Rev. Jacob Bigelow. — His Annuity. — Money Paid his Widow 
for Service Rendered by the Clergy as a Gift to her. — Funeral 
Expenses. — Sketch of Mr. Bigelow. — Addition to the Church 
during his Ministry. — Enlarging the Burying Ground. — Pur- 
chase of a Bier and Hearse. — Formation of "Sudbury Minis- 
terial Land Corporation." — Sale of Ministerial Land. — Report of 

the " Ministerial Fund Corporation," . .454 



CONTENTS. • XV11. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

1825-1850. 

History of the Sudbury Methodist Episcopal Church. — Members 
of a Baptist Society in Sudbury in 1828. — Town Farm. — Town 
House. — Erection of Tombs. — Ecclesiastical Disturbance. — For- 
mation of a New Parish. — Building of a Meeting-House. — Ded- 
ication of it. — Death of Rev. Rufus Hurlbut. — Sketch of his 
Life. — Settlement of Rev. Josiah Ballard. — The Old Parish. — 
Settlement of Rev. Linus Shaw. — Sketch of his Life. — Succes- 
sion of Pastors. — Miscellaneous, 472 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

1850-1875. 

Names Applied to different Sections of the Town. — Division into 
Districts. — Change in the Districts. — Description of South 
Sudbury. — Location. — Location of the Railroad Station. — The 
Boston and Worcester Highway. — Houses Situated along this 
Highway half a Century Ago. — Changes in Buildings. — The 
Village Grocery. — Captain Kidder's Shoe Shop. — Sketch of 
Captain Kidder. — Sketch of Mrs. Kidder. — The Mill. — Wads- 
worth Monument. — Industries. — Modern Improvements. — For- 
mer and Present Owners or Occupants of Homesteads. — The 
George Pitts Farm. — Description of Sudbury Centre. — Loca- 
tion. — Oldest House. — Location of Old Buildings. — Noon 
House. — Parsonages. — Old Burying-Ground. — Common. — Gro- 
cery Stores. — Mills. — Former and Present Owners or Occupants 
of Homesteads. — North Sudbury. — Location. — Post Office and 
Postmasters. — Industries. — Iron Ore. — Grocery Stores. — Change 
in Construction of Houses. — Taverns. — Saw-Mill. . . .484 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

1850-1875. 

Description of School Districts. — Lanham District. — Territorial 
Limits. — School- House. — Old School Customs. — Order of Ex- 
ercises. — Examination Day. — Former Dwellings. — Their Own- 
ers or Occupants. — Clay-Pits. — South-West District. — Origin 
of the Term Peakham. — School-house. — Name of it. — District 
Limits. — Location of Railroad Station. — Places of Historic In- 
terest. — Mills. — Present and Former Owners or Occupants of 



XV111. CONTENTS. 

trj Homesteads. — North-West District. — Location of School-House. 

— Assabet Village. — The " Rice Tavern." — The Oldest House. 

— Early Inhabitants . — North-East or Pantry District. — Territo- 
rial Limits. — Origin of the Name. — Railroad Station. — Pantry 
School-House. — Poetic Description of it. — Mr. Israel Haynes. — 
Incident of his Life. — Block House. — Old Loring Parsonage. — 
The Gravel Pit. — Historic Reminiscences. — Taverns. — School- 
House. — Indian Grave. — Government Store- Houses. — Training- 
Field. — Irregularity of Town Boundary Line. — Cause of it. — 
Caleb Wheeler Farm, 501 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

1850-1S75. 

The Wadsworth Monument. — Petition to the Legislature. — Re- 
sponse. — Description of the Monument. — The old Slate Stone. — 
Fac-simile of it. — Dedication of the Monument. — Dismission of 
Rev. Josiah Ballard. — Sketch of his Life. — Ordination of Rev. 
Charles V. Spear. — His Dismission. — Installation of Rev. Eras- 
tus Dickinson. — His Dismission. — Sketch of his Life. — Rev. 
Webster Patterson. — Settlement of Kev. Philander Thurston. — 
His Dismission. — Sketch of Rev. George A. Oviatt. — Rev. 
Calvin Fitts. — Rev. David Goodale. — Rev. Warren Richardson. 
— Deacons. — Donation of Samuel Dana Hunt. — Bequest of 
Miss Emily Thompson.- -Gifts from Mrs. Abigail Smith and Miss 
Ruth Carter. — Wadsworth Academy. — Congregational Chapel. — 
Changes in School Districts. — In School-Houses. — Numbering 
the Districts. — The Goodnow Library. — The Building. — The 
Donor. — Incorporation of Maynard. — The Framingham and 
Lowell Railroad. — The Massachusetts Central Railroad. — Mis- 
cellaneous, 514 



CHAPTER XXX. 
1850-1875. 

The Civil War. — Causes of it. — Warlike Activity at the North. — 
First War Meeting in Sudbury. — The " Wadsworth Rifle Guards." 

— Acts of the Town Relating to the War. — Soldiers' Aid Society. 

— Enlistments. — Sketch of the Thirteenth Regiment. — The 
Sixteenth. — The Eighteenth. — The Twentieth. — The Twenty- 
Sixth.— The Thirty-Fifth.- Hie Forty-Fifth. — The Fifty-Ninth. 

— Enlistments in other Regiments of Infantry. — Sketch of Eirst 
Massachusetts Cavalry. — Enlistments in other Regiments of 
Cavalry. — Enlistments in the Artillery Service. — United States 



CONTENTS. XIX. 

Sanitary Commission. — List of Conscripts. — Casualties. — Biog- 
graphical Sketches of Men who Died in the Service. — Of Sol- 
diers now Living in Sudbury. — Summary of Service. — List of 
Citizens Subject to a Draft in 1863. — Bicentennial of the Wads- 
worth Fight. — Laying out of Road to Railroad Station, South 
Sudbury. — The George Goodnow Bequest, 535 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

CEMETERIES. 

First Burial Place. — Old Burying-Ground at Sudbury Centre. — 
Mount Wadsworth Cemetery.— Mount Pleasant Cemetery. — New 
Cemetery. — North Sudbury Cemetery. — Burial Customs, . . 568 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

TAVERNS. 

Early Names. — Character and Importance.— First Tavern. — Oth- 
ers on the East Side. — Taverns in the South Part of the Town. — 
Description of the South Sudbury Tavern. — "Howe's Tavern," 
or the " Wayside Inn." — Mr. Longfellow's Connection with it. — 
Location and Early History. — Description. — The Last Land- 
lord. — Traditions Concerning it. — Taverns on the Central Road 
of the Town. — Taverns at North Sudbury, 588 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Early Mention of Physicians. — Biographical Sketch of Dr. Eben- 
ezer Roby. — Ebenezer Roby, 2d.— Ebenezer Roby, 3d. — Josiah 
Langdon. — Moses Taft. — Moses Mossman. — Ashbel Kidder. — 
Thomas Stearns. — Levi Goodenough. — Otis O. Johnson. — 
George A. Oviatt, 599 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

TEMPERANCE. 

Early Customs. — Effects of Cider Drinking in North Sudbury. — 
Connection of Taverns with the Liquor Traffic. — Drinking Cus- 
toms in South Sudbury. — Common Use of Malt. — Extract from 
James Thompson's Account Book. — Dawn of Better Times. — 
Pioneers in the Temperance Cause. — Reformatory Measures. — 
Temperance Reform, • 605 



xx - CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

COLLEGE GRADUATES AND PROFESSIONAL MEN. 

List of Graduates before 1800.- Biographical Sketches of College 
Graduates and Professional Men since L800, .... 012 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

NATURAL FEATURES. 

Hills. — Forests.— The Flora.— Ponds. — Brooks.— Sudbury River. 
-Its Rise and Course.— Its Fish. — Poetical Description of 
Pickerel Fishing. — Birds about the River. — Poetical Descrip- 
tion of Duck Hunting. — Fur Bearing Animals about the River. 
— Slow Current of the River, g21 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

THE RIVER MEADOWS. 

Width of the Meadows. — Former Productiveness. — Litigation and 
Legislation.— Change in Productiveness.— Causes of it.— Natural 
Features at the Present Time. — Grass, 633 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
Zoology and Geology, nio 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Public Bequests. — Action of the Town relative to the Publication 
of the History of Sudbury. — Preparations for the Observance of 
the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation 
of the Town, ^-o 

CHAPTER XL. 

Conclusion, . . .,.- 
• . . oo7 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Rev. Alfred S. Hudson, Frontispiece. 

View of Hop Brook Valley and Nobscot, .... 13 

Jonas S. Hunt, 47 

Map of House-lots, by Draper, 77 

A Portion of Sudbury Centre, 107 

Map of 1708, by Haynes, 125 

The Goodnow Library, South Sudbury, . . . .149 

Residence of Joseph C. Howe, 183 

The Browne Garrison House, 199 

The Haynes Garrison House, 225 

Map of 1676, by Hudson, 237 

The Wadsworth Grave, South Sudbury, .... 251 

The Walker Garrison House, 271 

The Loring Parsonage, Sudbury Centre, .... 291 

The Woods, or Allen House, 313 

The Summer Residence of Hon. Homer Rogers, . . 333 
The Common, Unitarian Church, Town House and Meth- 
odist Church, Sudbury Centre, 365 

Residence of Charles P. Willis, 391 

Residence of Samuel B. Rogers, South Sudbury, . . 413 

Map of 1794, by Mossman, 429 

Residence of Richard R. Horr, South Sudbury, . . 445 

The Bigelow Parsonage, Sudbury Centre, .... 471 

The Hurlbut Parsonage, Sudbury Centre, . . . 481 

Mill Village (South Sudbury), 487 



xxn. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



The Residence of Nahum Goodnow, 

Rev. Josiah Ballard, 

The Wadsworth Academy, South Sudkury, 
The Wadsworth Monument, South Sudbury, 

The Wayside Inn, 

Residence of Nichols B. Hunt, South Sudbury, 

The Residence of Hon. C. F. Gerry, Sudbury Centre, 

Residence of George E. Harrington, .... 



505 
523 
527 
555 
593 
605 
615 
643 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



CHAPTER I. 



Early Condition of the Country. — Original Boundaries. — Indian 
Names. — Primitive Forests. — Laws concerning Timber. — Clear- 
ings. — Game. — Johnson's Description. ■ — Meaning of " Meadow 
Lands." — "Old Connecticut Path." — Indian Trails. 

'Tis like a dream when one awakes, — 

This vision of the scenes of old; 
'Tis like the moon when morning breaks, 

'Tis like a tale round watch-fires told. 

Pierpont. 

The town of Sudbury was settled in 1638, and received its 
name in 1639. It was the nineteenth town in the Massachu- 
setts Bay Colony, and the second situated beyond the flow of 
the tide. Originally it was bounded on the east by that part 
of Watertown which is now Weston, on the north by Con- 
cord, and southerly and westerly by the wilderness, or the 
unclaimed lands of the Colony. Up to the year 1637 there 
was no white man's trail through the length or breadth of 
this land tract. The smoke of no settler's cabin curled 
upward through the tree-tops of its far-stretching forests, 
and it was only the home of the Indian and the haunt of 
wild beasts and birds. 

The Indian name of the river and country adjacent on the 
north was Musketaquid, or Musketahquid, and it is presuma- 

l 



2 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

ble that the same name was applied to this region. Mus- 
ketahquid is supposed to be made up of two Indian 
words, muskeht, meaning "grass," and ahkeit, which signifies 
"ground," the whole signifying "grassy ground;" and if 
applied to the river, "grassy brook," or "meadow brook." 
The name formed by these Avoids, it is stated, as nearly 
resembles Musketahquid as the Indian dialect will allow. 
(Shattuck.) As the same stream runs through Concord and 
Sudbury, and the meadows in these places are equally green 
and broad, it is not by any means unlikely that the same 
term was applied to each place and the river as it runs 
tli rough them both. This is rendered still more probable by 
the fact that Karte, the Indian owner of the land first granted 
at Sudbury, was also an owner, with others, of the territory 
at Concord ; as the Colony records inform us that Karte, with 
Tahattawan, the sachem of that place, with some others, 
consented to the sale of territory to the English in 1637. 
(See Chapter II.) As Karte lived in the territory that is 
now Sudbury, and his wigwam was not far from the river, it 
is presumable that lie would call the stream as it flowed near 
his home by the same name that it was known by as it flowed 
through his domains a few miles farther north. Moreover, it 
is not to be supposed that the Sudbury Indians had no name 
for their river. 

Probably the first Englishman who made a record of this 
word was William Wood, in a work entitled "New England 
Prospects." Mr. Wood, it is supposed, came to this country 
about 1633; that he then visited the Musketahquid region, 
and was so charmed with its resources and scenery that, by 
representations of it on his return to England, plans were 
formed for a settlement at Concord. However this may be, 
he first made a record of this Indian name of the river and 
the adjacent country, and that before any town boundaries 
could have limited its application or made local the name of 
this old natural landmark. 

The country about Sudbury at the time of its settlement 
was largely covered with heavy timber. That tar making 
was, to an extent, an early occupation indicates that these 
trees were, many of them, pines. But probably not one of 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 6 

them now remains ; the rapid growth and early decay of these 
trees, and their fitness for building purposes, causing them 
to disappear long since. A solitary pasture oak, left here 
and there for a landmark or serviceable shade, is about all 
that remains of those old monarchs of the wood. 

But, notwithstanding there was formerly so much timber 
land, we are not to suppose the country was one unbroken 
forest ; on the contrary, it was interspersed with clearings ; 
and the fact that in those first years the town was choice of 
its timber, and passed stringent laws concerning it, indicates 
that these clearings were considerable. The following are 
some of the laws. In 1645 Edmund Goodnow was appointed 
to look after the timber on the common, and liberty was 
given him to designate what timber should be taken ; and 
" it was ordered, that, if any one took any without his leave, 
they were to forfeit nineteen pence a tree." 

In 1646, "Ordered, that no oak timber shall be fallen with- 
out leave from those that are appointed by the town to give 
leave to fell timber, that shall hew above eighteen inches at 
the butt end." 

Also, " That no man that hath timber of his own to supply 
his want shall have any timber granted upon the common." 

In 1647, "It was ordered that the people should have tim- 
ber for that year to supply their wants, for every two shill- 
ings that they paid the ministry, one tree." 

On different occasions persons were permitted to take the 
town's timber as an encouragement to business, as when a 
blacksmith was allowed so much as was necessary to build a 
shop, on condition he would set up his trade in town. 

In 1664 "timber was granted to Elias Reives for his build- 
ing, and also timber and hoop poles for carrying on his coop- 
er's trade, in case he would live in Sudbury six years, and 
honestly and carefully do the town of Sudbury's cooper work 
the said six years, both for making and trimming casks at 
such honest rates as they are made and trimmed for at the 
bay of Boston." 

The cleared spaces were occasioned by both natural and 
artificial causes. The Indians, by setting fires, cleared places 
for their planting grounds and sunny spots for their homes. 



4 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The natural openings were the broad, beautiful meadows on 
the river and brooks. 

A remarkable feature of these forests was their freedom 
from underbrush. The early settlers could traverse large 
j nut ions of them on horseback and meet with few obstacles, 
except the streams and swamps. In places the forests were 
kept clear by means of the annual tires which the Indians 
set to facilitate transit and the capture of game. These fires 
were set in the autumn, after the equinoctial storm, that 
they might burn with less intensity and be more easily con- 
trolled. Afterwards the Colonial Court enacted laws regard- 
ing forest fires. It was ordered that " whoever kindles fires 
in the woods before March 10 or after April 2, or on the last 
day of the week or Lord's day. shall pay any damages that 
any person shall lose thereby, and half so much to the com- 
mon treasury." 

The country afforded fine ranges for wild animals, and was 
well stocked with game, which made it an attractive hunting 
ground for the Indians. (See Chapter II.) Deer reeves 
were annually chosen by the town for years alter the settle- 
ment, and wolves were considered such a pest that a bounty 
was set upon them. Prior to 16 16 ten shillings were offered 
apiece for them; and repeatedly were laws enacted for the 
destruction of these forest marauders. Bears found favorite 
resorts among the highlands of Nobscot and Goodman's Hill, 
and tradition informs us that within about a century one has 
been killed at Green Hill. Beaver pelts were an article of 
merchandise through a large part of the Musketahquid 
country. Wild fowl were abundant. Turkeys strutted with 
stately tread in the lowlands by the meadow margins, and 
large Hocks of waterfowl frequented the streams and made 
their nests on their sedgy borders. Pigeons were plentiful, 
and grouse enlivened the shrubbery of the uumerous swamps. 
The supply of fish was ample, including salmon, alcwives, 
shad and dace. 

The following is a description of the place as given by 
Johnson, a writer of 1654, in a book entitled " Wonder- 
Working Providence:" "This town is very well watered, 
and hath store of plow-land: but by reason of the oaken roots 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



they have little broke up, considering the many Acres the 
place affords ; but this kinde of land requires great strength to 
break up, yet brings very good crops, and lasts long without 
mending. . . . The place is furnished with great plenty of 
fresh marsh, but, it lying very low, is much indamaged with 
land floods, insomuch that when the summer proves wet they 
lose part of their hay ; yet they are so sufficiently provided 
that they take in cattel of other towns to winter." 

In those early times meadow land had a meaning a little 
unlike that which it now has. The term, at least in places, 
was used to designate mowing land of whatever description, 
after the manner of its significance in England. This distinc- 
tion may have been made here by the early writer just quoted. 
The marsh he refers to is doubtless the meadow on the so- 
called Great River, and the meadows those tracts by the 
higher banks of the brooks and those found in natural forest 
openings, or wherever the grass land abounded. 

Before the Plantation of Sudbury was commenced, there 
passed through the southeasterly corner of its territory a 
memorable trail. This was a part of the » Old Connecticut 
Path." This highway extended from the sea-board settle- 
ments far into the interior. From Watertown it passed 
through what is now Waltham and Weston to that section 
of Sudbury now Wayland ; from thence southwesterly to the 
north side of Cochituate Pond, and on through the wilder- 
ness towards Connecticut. It is, we believe, the road now 
traveled from Weston Corner, by the " Five Paths," Way- 
land, to Framingham. Mention is made of this way in the 
town records as early as 1643, and again in 1648. Where it 
passed through the town it was called "the road from Water- 
town to the Dunster Farm," a tract of six hundred acres granted 
in 1640 to President Dunster of Harvard College, bounded on 
the west by Cochituate Pond, and early leased by Edmund 
Rice of Sudbury. This trail was first made known to the 
English by some Nipnet Indians, who came to Boston bring- 
ing°corn at a time when there was a scarcity of it in the col- 
ony. From this time for years it was the way travelled by 
the English in their journeyings to the Connecticut valley. 
In 1633 John Oldham and several others journeyed by it to 



6 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the westward, in search of a settlement. In 1635 some 
inhabitants of Watertown took this way as they travelled to 
Wethersfield, Conn., where a large part of them settled. A 
year later the ministers Hooker and Stone, with about a hun- 
dred others and their families, took this path in their emigra- 
tion to Hartford. 

Thus through a portion of Sudbury passed an old and 
historic road, which is interesting because of the things now 
mentioned. But other associations also may cluster about 
it. Because of this path, perhaps, the plantation at Sudbury 
was started. This supposition is favored by various circum- 
stances. The Watertown people, as they journeyed to Con- 
necticut, may have been pleased with the country along this 
part of the way, and as some of them returned to Water- 
town, at which place a plantation at Sudbury was afterwards 
planned, favorable reports may have been rendered concern- 
ing it. 

It was easy to obtain a view of it from the top of Reeves's 
Hill, along which their path led, and it is not at all improba- 
ble that more than one traveler ascended that sightly emi- 
nence, and from it obtained a broad view of the Musket ahquid 
and its adjacent meadows. The slow-winding stream, as it 
flashed afar in the sunlight, and the wood-covered hills that 
extended beyond, together with the proximity of such a 
desirable spot to their Watertown home and the sea-board 
towns, may have led to the plan of its early settlement. 
Favorable to this conjecture is the fact that the Watertown 
people petitioned for the land soon after the return of the 
emigrants. But whether or not emigration through the place 
by this path suggested or originated the settlement, it must 
have aided it when once begun, and promoted exploration in 
that locality. 

A trail so near what was to be the first street of Sudbury 
would be quite helpful in the conveyance of the various com- 
modities that were essential in starting a settlement. The 
planters journeying from Watertown could follow this well- 
worn way almost to the spot assigned for their house-lots 
where they erected their cabin homes. 

Besides this path from the sea-coast to the Nipnet country, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 7 

other trails doubtless led through the place, which were used 
by the Indians, and which afterwards may have become trav- 
eled roads. As the town afforded favorite fishing resorts, 
there were doubtless paths from various quarters leading to 
them. There were doubtless such to the fishing weir and 
fording place in the town's northerly part, and to the rocky 
falls of the Sudbury River at the south. Karte probably had 
a path from his hill-top home to the lodge of Tahattawan 
at Concord. The old pasture path at Nobscot, which still 
winds along the northern hill-slope by the spring and the 
Nixon farm, was perhaps the well-known way of Tantamous 
as he visited the wigwam of Karte at Goodman's hill, or 
attended the preaching of John Eliot at Natick, or with a 
pack of candle or light -wood upon his back, went with 
spear or net to the Musketahquid to fish. Thus the country 
of Sudbury at the time of its settlement was, perhaps, more 
than ordinarily broken by paths ; and its timber lands, rich 
pasturage, and facilities for the capture of game and fish, 
made it attractive to both the Indians and the English. 



CHAPTER II. 

Indians of Sudbury Territory. — Relics. — Localities where they Lived: 
at Nobscot, the Vicinity of the River, Weir Hill, Cochituate — 
Names and History of Prominent Indians : Karte, Tantamous, 
Nataous. — Description of Wigwams. — Food. — Characteristics. — 
Method of Hunting and Fishing. — Tribal Relations. — Nature of 
their Early Intercourse with the English. 

Chief, sachem, sage, bards, heroes, seers, 

That live in story and in song, 
Time, for the last two hundred years, 

Has raised, and shown, and swept along. 

Pierpont. 

There is no evidence that man} r Indians lived in Sudbury 
at the time of its settlement by the English. But few of their 
names have been found on the town records, and compara- 
tively little is there mentioned of business transactions be- 
tween the natives and whites. About the beginning of the 
seventeenth century, a great pestilence prevailed among the 
Indians in the vicinity of Massachusetts Bay, and it is not 
improbable that it affected the population of Sudbury. This 
pestilence or plague was in places severe. It is stated that 
the New England Indians, before its outbreak, could muster 
about eighteen thousand warriors, but were reduced by it to 
about eighteen hundred. Thousands of Indians died in the 
country along the south shore. The Pilgrim fathers were 
informed of the sad ravages of this dreadful disease by 
Squanto, an early visitor among them. It is stated that 
Obbat inawat, a sachem living at Shawmut, now Boston, 
treated the English very kindly, and was glad to submit him- 
self to King James, that he might find protection from his 
enemies, as his once powerful tribe was reduced by the pes- 
tilence of 1616. 

8 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 9 

Beside this sickness, there was another that raged a little 
later. This was the small-pox scourge, which prevailed dur- 
ing the winter of 1633. Drake says of the fatality of it, 
that " The Indians died by scores and hundreds ; so fast, 
indeed, that the services of the white men were called into 
requisition to give them burial." He says the pestilence was 
not confined to a single locality, but swept with destructive 
effect through all the sea-board nations. The Narragansetts 
were reported to have lost seven hundred men, and the war- 
like Pequots an unknown number. If such was the fatality 
of these diseases along the Massachusetts Bay Shores, it is 
not unlikely that it extended as far inland as Sudbury, and 
if so, that it thinned out the inhabitants. The supposition 
that this was the case is strengthened by the absence, in the 
records, of many Indian names of places. Few of these names 
suggest that there were few people to speak them, or to pass 
them along to the race that next possessed the land. There 
are but few places in Sudbury whose names are suggestive of 
the murmuring woods or the rippling streams. They are 
more of English than of Indian origin. The name of Nob- 
scot is still the reminder of a race that has passed away. 
Cochituate Lake and the highlands about it, places once near 
the town's southeasterly limits, have a name unmistakably 
Indian. Assabet or Assabeth, the name of a stream running 
through Maynard, a place once a part of the town, savors in 
sound of the Indian dialect ; yet the origin of this term has 
been a matter of doubt, as it has been spelled Assabeth, Eliz- 
beth, Elzebet and Elizebeth. Even the name of Karte, who 
once owned a large part of the town's territory, has been 
spelled and pronounced Cato, and the place of his abode 
called Goodman's Hill, with all its prosaic simplicity. The 
" Great River," as the town's principal stream was once 
called, now bears no name suggestive of its natural features ; 
of meadows green with their grassy covering, outstretching 
to forest and flowery bank, or winding along its swampy out- 
skirts, where the vine and berry bush produce their rich, 
plentiful fruit; but it is now known as plain "Sudbury 
River." 

But although no distinct tribe is known to have existed in 



10 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the territory when it was settled, and the evidence is that the 
town was not largely occupied by Indians, it is nevertheless 
probable that at some period they were considerably numer- 
ous. That this may be so is indicated by various circum- 
stances. First, the natural features were such as would 
invite them to it, and induce them to remain. There was 
the hill, valley and plain, just suited for corn lands or fine 
ranges for game, while the streams and ponds had supplies 
of fish. It is doubtful if there is a town about it where more 
advantages meet to make the Indian life easy than here. 
The natives depended largely for subsistence upon maize, 
game and fish ; hence good land, easily worked and in close 
proximity to places where they could take game and fish, were 
the conditions of Indian comfort. That these natural advan- 
tages were once improved by the Indians is evident from the 
number of relics which have been found in various localities. 
These consist of arrow and spear heads; stone plummets; 
chisels and gouges; mortars and pestles, implements for 
pounding and crushing corn ; stone tomahawks or hatchets; 
and what may have been the stone kettle. Beside these, 
there have been unearthed by the plowshare small stones, 
that show the probable action of heat, and which may have 
been used for their hearthstones, or to form rude ovens for 
the purpose of cooking. Where these stones are found under 
circumstances favorable to the supposition, they indicate the 
former existence of a wigwam or cluster of wigwams. The 
favorable circumstances are the neighborhood of a fishing or 
fording place, or the common conveniences of a life in the 
woods. These wigwams Avere more or less on dry, sandy 
spots, such as are in the present wind-swept, and sparsely 
covered with grass. Such places were probably selected as 
natural forest openings, where, because of the light, sandy 
soil, the wood growth would likely be small, and where the 
rays of the winter sun would more easily penetrate, to give 
light and heat. When in such places various relics are found, 
it is highly probable that there may have been situated an 
Indian dwelling-place. 

In several such spots in Sudbury, various relics have been 
found, notable among which is one by the river meadow, just 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. H 

east of the Jonathan Wheeler place. It is between the 
meadow margin and the Water Row road, and has an area 
of one or two acres. It is a light, sandy upland, in places, 
almost or quite without sod. Arrow-heads and plummets 
have been found there in abundance, and of a kind of stone 
unlike any native to the neighborhood. These relics have 
not only been unearthed there by the plow or spade, but 
some have been uncovered by the wind. Another place 
where relics have been found in abundance is on the Cool- 
idge estate, by the Lanham Meadows, a little south of the 
East Sudbury depot. This spot is also of a light, sandy sod, 
and has a sand pit within it. A little farther north m this 
district, on the Frank Walker estate, arrow-heads and parts 
of a mortar or stone kettle were found ; while southerly of 
Lanham Brook, on the Albert Larkin estate, on an upland 
some rods west of the house, arrow-heads have been quite 

numerous. 

Another place worthy of mention is at South Sudbury, on 
the east side of Mill Brook, on what was lately the farm of 
Israel How Brown. The spot is a little southeasterly of a 
rock by the brook called » Great Rock," and midway between 
that and the Goodnow Library. On this place, which is a 
light, loamy upland, within the space of a few rods have been 
pfowed up quite a quantity of loose, discolored stones, that 
look as if they had been subjected to the action of fire, and 
also coal and charred pieces of wood. The nature of the 
place at South Sudbury is such as would be favorable to 
Indian occupation. Before the mill was erected there was 
probably quite a fall to Hop Brook, and for some distance the 
shoal, sparkling stream might form a fine fishing place in the 
season of the alewives or shad. 

In the west part of the town, at a sandy spot between the 
Solomon Dutton and Otis Parmenter places, Indian relics 
have also been extensively found. 

At North Sudbury there were likewise indications of the 
presence of these former inhabitants. Says Mr. John May- 
nard, " I have found on my land, east of Cedar Swamp, a 
stone axe, part of a tomahawk, a gouge, chisel, flaying knife, 
and other strange things ; also about four hundred arrow- 



•- HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

heads, one-half of them broken. I have plowed over seven 
or eight collections of paving stones that were discolored 
by lire, that 1 suppose were the hearthstones of Indian wig- 
wams." 

There are some parts of the town which we will especially 
notice as being places that were perhaps occupied by the 
Indians in considerable companies. These are the neighbor- 
hood of Nobscot, the River. Weir Hill, and Coehituate Pond. 
In the vicinity o( Nobscot there is little doubt but that Indi- 
ans once made their homes : as tradition, record and relics 
give evidence of it. As we shall notice further on, a noted 
Indian by the name of Jethro had a wigwam near there, and 
it is supposed the Indians had a lookout there. At the base 
of the hill, along- the plain land, on the estate of Hubbard 
Brown, by the brook, and also on the land south of the Fra- 
mingham road, more or less stone relics have been discovered. 
The old "Indian wash-bowl." so called, is pointed out in a 
field about east o( the hill. This is an excavation shaped 
like a wash-bowl, formed in a large rock, and may have been 
made by nature or art. Probably it was never used as a 
washing place by the Indians, but. if made or used by them 
at all, it may have been for grinding corn. 

That tlic Indians largely frequented the neighborhood of 
the river is quite evident. They probably lived along almost 
its whole course, as relics of them have been found here and 
there from one bound of the town to the other. On the east 
side of the river was an Indian burial place. (See chapter on 
cemeteries.") An Indian skeleton has been exhumed bv the 
roadside a: Sand Hill. This was discovered when the road 
was built, by a person who was passing by. He drew it 
from the bank, together witli several Indian relies. The 
"old Indian bridge"' was supposed to be southerly of Sand 
Hill, over Y\ est Brook, and formed a crossing in the direc- 
tion of Heard's Pond. The home of Karte was not far from 
the river. From his wigwam home on the hill, he could 
easily reach the mooring place of his birch canoe, or look 
down upon the expanse of broad meadow lands, green with 
their covering in Summer, or brown with the frosts of Fall. 
He could watch the early flight of wild water fowl, or per- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 13 

Laps catch a glimpse of the canoe of Tahatawan as it glided 
up the Musketahquid. 

But the places where it is supposed the Indians were more 
numerous than at any other point along the river were toward 
the town's northeast bound. Near this point were fording 
and fishing places. One of these was at Weir Hill, below 
Sherman's Bridge. The very locality of this place is favora- 
ble for Indian occupancy. It is situated at a point of the 
river where, as we have been informed, at low water the 
river can be forded. On its opposite bank a hill extends 
almost to the stream, and on either side the meadow bank is 
hard, which is a circumstance rare on the river course. At 
this place tradition says there was an Indian fishing weir, 
which old inhabitants state was about northeast of Weir 
Hill ; and from this the hill has derived its name. The fish- 
ing weir was an important thing for the Indians, as by means 
of it large quantities of fish could be taken. The principle 
of construction was the placing across the river of an obstruc- 
tion, as perhaps some kind of a fence, which, running diag- 
onally from either bank to the centre of the stream, left a 
small aperture at the apex, where the fish could be taken in 
a wicket work or net. Such an apparatus, at a favorable 
place on the river, would supply fish for a considerable vil- 
lage. These fish served not only a present purpose, but were 
dried and preserved for future use. Another inducement for 
Indians to locate in this part of the town was a good fording 
place just below Weir Hill, which is at or near a small hill 
called Mount Headley, and is between the river and the 
county road. That this locality was improved by the Indians 
is evident from the quantities of relics that have been found 
there. Both about here and at Weir Hill more or less of 
these have been picked up ; and, at the latter place, their 
hearthstones have been unearthed by the plowshare, with the 
coals still upon them. 

As has been stated, there are indications that the Indians 
once dwelt in considerable numbers about Cochituate Pond. 
The region about there was favorable to Indian occupation, 
not only on account of the lake itself, but because of its near- 
ness to the falls of Sudbury River (Saxonville). The name 



14 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

of the locality has been spelled Wachittuate, Cochituet, 
Chochichawicke, Coijchawicke, Catchchauitt, Charchittawick, 
Katchetuit, Cochichawauke, Cochichowicke. The word as 
now spelled is found in a record dated 1G44, in connection 
with laying out the Glover farm. " The southwest bounds 
are the little river that issueth out of the Great Pond at 
Cochituate.'''' This record, as well as others, also shows that 
originally the term was applied, not to the pond, but to the 
region near the outlet. Temple states that the word signi- 
fies, " place of the rushing torrent," or, " wild dashing brook." 
On the westerty side of the pond was an Indian fort, and, 
near b\ T , a permanent settlement. 

Not very much is known, at most, of the Indians who lived 
in Sudbury at the time of its settlement; but a few facts are 
on record concerning some of them. 

Karte was owner of the first land tract which was sold to the 
Sudbury settlers. His home at one time was at Goodman's 
Hill, — sometimes called Wigwam Hill, — but where he lived 
in his last years is unknown. That he was a man of some 
prominence in and about the town is probable, not only from 
the amount of his landed possessions there, but from his asso- 
ciation with certain rulers or sagamores at the sale of a weir 
and planting grounds at Concord. Of this transaction the 
following account is found in the Colony Records : — 

"5th, 6mo., 1637. — Wibbacowett; Squaw Sachem ; Natan- 
quatick, alias Old Man; Carte, alias Goodmand; did express 
their consent to the sale of the Weirs at Concord, over 
against the town : and all the planting ground which hath 
been formerly planted by the Indians, to the inhabitants of 
Concord; of which there was a writing, with their marks 
subscribed, given into court expressing the price." 

It is said that he was an attendant upon the ministry of 
Rev. Edmund Brown, first minister of Sudbury; and that by 
his preaching he was converted to the Christian religion. 

Another Indian of some notoriety was Tantamous, who 
was also called Jethro. He had a son called Peter Jethro. 
On an old surve} r is "Peter Jethro's field," near Nobscot 
Hill, where Jethro lived. This field was upon a farm once 
in the possession of Mr. Ezekiel How. According to Drake, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 15 

Tantamous lived at Nobscot Hill at the beginning of King 
Philip's war, and there were about twelve persons in his 
family. He was present with Waban of Natick, and some 
other natives, at the sale of the territory which is now the 
town of Concord. When about seventy years old, he made 
a deposition about the transaction, and in connection with 
that deposition is spoken of as a Christian Indian of Natick. 
In 1674, Tantamous was appointed missionary to the Indians 
at Weshakim (Sterling), but remained there for a short time 
only. Mr. Gookin speaks of him as a "grave and pious 
Indian," and says he was sent to be a teacher at a place near 
Lancaster. In 1675, while Tantamous was living at Nobscot 
with his family, he was ordered by the Colony to Deer 
Island, Boston Harbor, for security. Resenting the ill usage 
that was received from those conducting them there, Jethro 
and his family escaped in the darkness of night. He was 
betrayed, however, by his son, Peter Jethro, into the hands 
of the English, by whom, according to Hubbard, he was exe- 
cuted, Sept. 26, 1676. 

Peter Jethro, or Jethro the Younger, who was perhaps 
also called Ammatohu (as this term was applied to one of 
the Jethros), was connected with several real estate matters. 
He was among the Indians who conveyed to John Haynes 
and others thirty-two hundred acres of land east of " Quin- 
sigamoge Pond," in Worcester. In 1684, he was among the 
Indian grantors of the two-mile tract which was granted to 
the Sudbury settlers, and laid out on the town's westerly side. 
In 1683, Peter Jethro lived at Dunstable, with Mr. Jonathan 
Ting ; and in consideration of this man's kindness, as shown 
to himself and his uncle, Jethro gave Mr. Ting a tract of 
land six miles square at Machapoag, north of Wachusett 
Mountain and west of Groton, which he had obtained from 
his uncle Jeffy. 

Still another Indian of some prominence was Nataous. He 
was also called William of Sudbury. "Indian William's 
Meadow " is mentioned in the Colony Records as early as 
1658. Rev. Edward Brown was to have " one small parcell 
of three acres formerly called ' Indian William's Meadow,' 
lying toward the falls of Cochittuat River." It is stated that 



16 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

in 1662, he lived at Nipnax Hill, a place about three miles 
north of the plantation at Natick, perhaps Reeves' Hill. 
Hubbard speaks of him as being "very familiar with the 
whites." Gookin states that he was among the "good men 
and prudent " who were rulers at Natick. He was desig- 
nated also as the Nipniuck Captain, and was called, in the 
Colony Records, Netus; and by this name he was known in 
some of the sad scenes of his subsequent life. This Indian, 
whose beginning as a Christian was so bright, and who left 
on record a religious confession, did sad work in Framingham, 
by leading, near the outset of Philip's war, a part}' who 
destroyed the house of Mr. Thomas Eames, a former resident 
of Sudbury. 

In 1668, Mr. Thomas Eames leased the " Pelham Farm " 
(in Wayland), and it was ordered, that during his lease of 
the place he should "pay to the minister fore pound (for) a 
man and 20sh. to every £20 rate."' Mr. Eames subsequently 
moved to Framingham, and made his home near Mt. Waite, 
in the southerly part of that town. When absent on a jour- 
ney to Boston for a stock of ammunition, a party of Indians, 
Feb. 1, 1676, burned his dwelling-house and barn, and killed 
or carried away captive his family. We may not know all 
the circumstances that led to this act, but it is supposed that 
some of them were of an aggravating character. 

English distrust had doubtless led to Indian suspicion. 
The removal of certain parties from their homes to Deer 
Island might not have been understood. Besides this, it is 
said these Indians had been to Maguncook, an Indian station 
near by, and, on finding that corn had been removed from 
their granaries, they started out, partly for food and partly 
for revenge, toward the nearest English settlement. Netus, 
or Nataous, from this time probably joined the hostile tribes, 
and made common cause with King Philip. We hear of 
him afterwards near Sudbury, with a war party which was 
attacked in the night. March 27, 1676, by a party of English 
from Sudbury and from the garrison at Marlboro. (See 
chapter on Philip's War.) In that night encounter Netus 
was slain, with several others of the enemy, while they were 
asleep about their camp-fire. Thus sad were the closing 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 17 

scenes in the history of Tantamous and Netus, these illustri- 
ous sons of the forest. 

The following are Indian names that have been preserved 
in documents concerning real estate transactions in Sud- 
bury: Jehojakim, Magos, Muskqua, Musquamog, Wenneto, 
Nepamun. 

That no more Indian names are found in the records is no 
evidence that other Indians did not inhabit the town at the 
time of its settlement. Those whose names are recorded 
were landed proprietors, and so connected with real estate 
transactions ; but others of humble condition, and possessed 
of nothing but a few utensils for the wigwam and chase, may 
have ranged through the valley and over the hills. 

Beside the Indians whose abode was in Sudbury, it is also 
probable that Indians from neighboring hamlets or clans made 
use of the town's hunting grounds, and were more or less 
residents of them. On the north, east, and west were Indian 
villages of considerable importance. At Natick they were 
gathered in Christian relations by John Eliot, the aj)ostle of 
the Indians. At Concord were Tahattawan's subjects, and 
at Nashoba, now Littleton, there was a praying band of 
Indians. On the west, at Whipsuffrage, now Marlboro, 
other Indians were gathered in friendly relations ; while at 
Magunkaquog, or Maguncook, a place in Ashland, there was 
also another station which had been established by Mr. 
Eliot. 

It is hardly supposable that, when so many Indians lived 
in the surrounding localities, they did not from time to time 
traverse the town, and resort to it for fishing and hunting, so 
that, if the native inhabitants were few, the place might yet 
be considerably occupied. It should furthermore be consid- 
ered that one Indian householder might have a numerous 
family. An Indian wigwam, as will be farther observed, 
sometimes had capacity for several residents. It is said that 
a dozen Indians lived at Jethro's house at Nobscot. Karte's 
wigwam, at Goodman's Hill, may not have been the home of 
a single inhabitant, but a numerous family may have been 
about him. His wigwam may have sheltered several families. 
About the hill may have resounded many a merry voice at 



18 HISTORY OK SUDBURY. 

the coming of the early green corn, or the gathering in of 
berries or nuts, or when the alewife or shad returned in the 
spring; or at the fall migration of birds, when the whistle of 
the wild water fowl's wing was heard, and the pigeons made 
their way over the plains. 

Tims merry may have been the places where even a single 
wigwam stood : and iii those silent, now far-away times, there 
may have been move of liveliness connected with aboriginal 
life than we art' wont to suppose. The inmates of wigwams 
or villages may have had more or less intercourse in a neigh- 
bor-like way, — Nataous visiting the residence of Karte, and 
Karte calling on Tantamous. Tahattawan or his people may 
have often passed through Sudbury from Concord to visit 
John Eliot at Natick, and more than one may have been the 
rough wilderness paths they trod on errands of toil or friendly 
intercourse. So that the town, if not very populous, may 
have been far from a desolate or lonely place. 

The character and habits of the Indians about Sudbury 
were naturally in common with those of others in the near 
vicinity. Probably no authority on this subject is more reli- 
able than that of Mr. Gookin. lie was associated with Mr. 
Eliot in his labors, and was conversant with the mission sta- 
tions in the vicinity of the town. From him we learn the 
following about the customs, houses and food of the abo- 
rigines in this part of the country. The houses were called 
•• wigwams," and were made by placing poles in the ground, 
and fastening them together at the top by the bark of trees. 
The best of these structures were covered neatly, and made 
quite warm by strips of bark placed upon them. The bark 
used for this purpose was stripped from the trees when the 
sap was up, and made into great Hakes by the pressure of 
weighty timbers. By thus securing and using them when 
green, the flakes when dry retained the form to which they 
were fitted. The more meanly made wigwams were covered 
over with mats made of bulrushes. The Indian houses varied 
considerably in size : some were twenty, some forty feet long. 
Says Gookin, " I have seen one fifty or a hundred feet long, 
and thirty feet broad." 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 19 

We «ire informed by Mrs. Rowlandson (see chapter on 
Philip's War) that, after the Wadsworth fight, the Indians 
made a wigwam sufficiently large to contain an hundred men 
as a place in which to celebrate their victory. These wig- 
wams were kept warm by a fire or fires made within. In 
the smaller dwelling one fire was made in the centre ; in the 
larger, two, three or four were sometimes made. A door was 
formed by a mat hung at the entrance, to be raised as the 
person entered, and dropped when he was within. Tims 
there may have been more of warmth and comfort in these 
rude forest homes than some are wont to suppose. Says 
Gookin, " I have often lodged in these wigwams, and found 
them as warm as the best English houses." In the wigwam 
was a sort of mattress or couch, raised about a foot high. 
This was covered with boards split from trees, upon which 
were placed mats or skins of the bear or deer. These 
couches were large enough for three or four persons to sleep 
on. They were six or eight feet broad, and could be drawn 
nearer to or farther from the fire, as one chose. 

The food of the Indian, to an extent, consisted of game, — 
the streams furnishing an abundance of fish, and the forests a 
supply of game. Such a diet would be most easily obtained, 
and the methods of obtaining it most in accord with the Indi- 
an's wild nature and life. But this food was by no means all. 
Says Gookin, it consisted chiefly of Indian corn boiled. Some- 
times they mixed beans with their corn, and frequently they 
boiled in their pottage fish and flesh of all sorts, either fresh 
or dry. Bones also were cut in pieces and used ; but, says 
our authority, "they are so dextrous in separating the bones 
from the fish when eating that they are never in danger of 
being choked." They also mixed with their pottage various 
kinds of roots, ground nuts, pompions (pumpkins), squashes, 
acorns, walnuts and chestnuts, dried and powdered. Some- 
times they beat their maize into meal, and sifted it through a 
basket made for that purpose. With this meal they made 
bread, which they baked in the ashes, after covering it with 
leaves. They also made of this maize meal what was called 
" Nokake," which it was said was sweet, toothsome and 



20 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

hearty, — so much so that when the Indian was going on a 
journey, he would often take with him no food but a bag or 
basket of this. 

The corn was planted in places perhaps first cleared by 
fire. It was planted when the oak-leaf was about the size 
of a mouse's ear, and fertilized by a fish placed in the hill. 
Gookin states that the Indian was given much to hospitality, 
and that strangers were given their best lodging and diet. 
Their religion consisted in the belief in a Good Spirit called 
Kiton, and a Bad Spirit called Hobbammoc, and in a happy 
hunting ground beyond the grave. They had their pow- 
wows and medicine men who served the place of a rude 
priesthood among them, and they conformed to various cus- 
toms which corresponded to their wild ways of life. Some 
of these customs, as well as some of the coarse phases of 
Indian character, are indicated by the following orders drawn 
up and agreed upon at Concord, and as set forth by Rev. 
Thomas Shepherd, an early minister at Cambridge. 

These "conclusions and orders made and agreed upon by 
divers sachems and other principal men amongst the Indians 
at Concord in the end of the eleventh month (called Janu- 
ary), An. 1646." 

"2. That there shall be no more Powwowing amongst the 
Indians. And if any shall hereafter powwow, both he that 
shall powwow, and he that shall procure them to powwow, 
shall pay twenty shillings apiece." 

" 6. That they may be brought to the sight of the sinne 
of lying." 

" 8. They desire that no Indian hereafter shall have any 
more but one wife." 

"16. They intend to reform themselves in their former 
greasing." 

" 20. Whosoever shall play at their former games shall 
pay ten shillings." 

" 23. They shall not disguise themselves at their mourn- 
ing as formerly, nor shall they keep a great noyse by howl- 
ing." (Shattuck's History of Concord.) 

Johnson speaks of them as "being in very great subjection 
to the Divel," and the powwows as being "more conversant 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 21 

with him than any others." But to the great glory of the 
religion of Christ, it is said these notions were corrected 
wherever civilization and Christianity were introduced. The 
money or medium of exchange was wampumpage. 

In the capture of game the methods were various. Fish 
was taken both with the hook and spear. In the migrations 
of the alewife and shad, the birch-bark canoes, torch and 
spear, were probably effective means in the catch. The 
canoes were sometimes forty feet long, says Gookin, and 
would carry twenty men. The larger animals were perhaps 
sometimes caught by the pitfall, a place dug in the ground, 
and covered lightly with sticks and leaves, through which 
the game when passing would fall; sometimes by a forest 
drive, by which means a portion of country was traversed by 
a company of men deployed at short distances, who moved 
towards a given point, where was a partial enclosure, through 
which the animals were forced to pass ; at the place of exit, 
hunters were stationed to dispatch the game as it strove to 
make its way through. 

Part of the Indians living in Sudbury, when its territory 
was transferred to the English, belonged, as it is supposed, to 
the Massachusetts Indians who lived about Massachusetts Bay, 
and the remainder to the Nipmucks or Nipnets, who lived in 
the interior of the State. Those who belonged to the former 
were probably of the Mystic Indians, the chief of which 
tribe was in the early part of the seventeenth century Nana- 
pashemit. The home of this chieftain was at Medford, situ- 
ated on a prominent place which overlooked the Mystic River. 
He was killed by the Tarrentines, a tribe of eastern Indians. 
After his death, his wife reigned under the name of the squaw 
sachem. She married Wibbacowett, the chief powwow or 
priest (Shattuck). She also lived near the Mystic. The 
subjects of this sachem or squaw probably extended nearly 
or quite to the Nipmuck country, as it embraced Tahattawan 
and his tribe at Concord. 

Tribal relations so extended would probably include some 
of Sudbury's Indians. Such is supposed to be the case. 

It is stated in the Colony Records, that, in 1637, Karte was 
associated with the squaw sachem at Medford in the sale of 



22 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



a fishing weir at Concord, "and all the planting grounds 
which hath been planted by the Indians there." Nataous, it 
is supposed, was of Xipnet origin. If these prominent natives 
of Sudbury had different tribal relations, so may it have been 
with others less prominent ; but whether they belonged to the 
Nipnet or Massachusetts Indians, they all alike belonged to 
the great family of Algonquins. The Algonquin Indians 
included the class of American aborigines who inhabited 
that part of the country extending for hundreds of miles 
between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River. They 
included Canada on the north, and their southern limits ex- 
tended as far as North Carolina. Among these Indians were 
various and powerful tribes, inhabiting various parts of this 
extended territory. "The New England Indians inhabited 
the country from Connecticut to the Saco River. The prin- 
cipal tribes were the Narragansetts in Rhode Island and the 
western shores of the Narragansett Bay, the Pokanokets and 
Warapanoags on the eastern shore of the same bay and in a 
portion of Massachusetts, the Nipmucks in the centre of Mas- 
sachusetts, the Narragansetts in the vicinity of Boston and 
the shores southward, and the Patuckets in the northeastern 
part of Massachusetts, embracing the Pennacooks of New 
Hampshire." (Lossing.) 

In the early years of the town's history, the Indians in and 
about the place were on friendly terms with their pale-faced 
brethren. As has been noticed, on several sides of the town 
were Indian mission stations, from which wilderness outposts 
went forth the voice of prayer and praise. Influences so sal- 
utary not far from the borders of Sudbury might be expected 
to reach into the town itself, and tend to bring its people 
to a right way of life. These stations were, to an extent, 
made up of people gathered from various parts. It was so 
al Natick. Mr. Eliot gathered the natives from different 
directions, and fostered with fatherly care those who sought 
at his hands the truth, until he. fell, as has been stated by 
another, "like a great tree in the stillness of the woods." 
Truly it might be expected that such influences, radiating like 
light through the dark .shadows of the unenlightened land, 
would bring peace to the people, and that a loving, neighbor- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 23 

like spirit would pervade the life of both the Indian and his 
white benefactors. Such natural results did prevail prior to 
Philip's war. But that war and the death of Mr. Eliot were 
sad blows to the poor aborigines : by the latter they lost a 
friend, and by the former they were called to turn their backs 
on the graves of their fathers, knowing not what the end was 
to be. Allured, perhaps, by designing men of their race to 
join Philip, and ordered from their homes to another locality, 
it is not strange if some were demoralized, and that the Indi- 
ans should become a weak and broken band. It is said that 
at one time about three hundred Indians gathered at Natick 
on a training occasion. But, as years passed on, they grew 
rapidly less, even at this their old mission home. The last 
family hereabouts has long since disappeared, their name is 
unspoken, and their very graves are unknown. They have 
been gathered to their fathers, with little to tell the stranger 
where once they dwelt. The streams still sparkle, but not 
for them ; the hills are crowned with our corn ; in the valley 
our gardens smile ; our grain makes yellow the plain. The 
town's natural outlook, in a measure, remains unchanged, 
but a race has vanished, and the customs, language, and life 
of another race is here. 

" Like leaves on trees the race of man is found, 
Now green in youth, now withering on the ground ; 
Another spring another race supplies, 
These fall successive, and successive rise. 
So generations in their course decay, 
So flourish these when those have passed away." 

It is true the Indian is still in the land, but how neglected 
and lone ! As another has said : — 

" His eye rests on the earth, as if the grave 
Were his sole hope, his last and only home. 

His pride is dead ; his courage is no more ; 
His name is but a by-word. All the tribes 
Who called this mighty continent their own 
Are homeless, friendless wanderers on earth." 

But while this race is passing, let us cherish what is good 



24 HISTORY OF SUDBUKY. 

in their history, and in charity excuse what we reasonably 
can of their faults. Above all, let us present to them the 
truths that their great apostle, Mr. Eliot, so long and so suc- 
cessfully used. 



CHAPTER III. 

Origin of the Sudbury Settlement. — Why it was formed. — Names of 
Early Settlers : Residents of Watertown, Emigrants from England. — 
Passenger List of the Ship " Confidence." — Tradition about John 
Rutter. — Character of the Settlers. — Biographical Sketches. 

And that pale pilgrim band is gone, 

That on this shore with trembling trod; 

Ready to faint, yet bearing on 
The ark of freedom and of God. 

PlERPONT. 

In passing from the early condition of the territory of 
Sudbury, and its aboriginal inhabitants, we will next notice 
who they were, who became possessed of this territory as 
settlers, and so changed its condition; whence they came, 
their names, and their character. 

The town was settled by Englishmen. The plan of set- 
tlement originated at Watertown, which was settled a few- 
years previous by Sir Richard Saltonstall and Company, who 
cam.' t.i America in the ship '"Arbella." Mr. Saltonstall's 
party landed at Salem, went from there to Charlestown, and 
thence about four miles up Charles River, where they founded 
Watertown. Few, if any, colonial places were better pros- 
pered than this. It rapidly grew in strength and importance, 
and soon parties went out from it to form new settlements. 
Some went to the places now Dedham and Concord, and 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 25 

some as far off as Wethersfield, Conn. In fact, emigration 
from Watertown helped form some of the best towns of the 
period. 

In 1637, it was proposed that a company proceed westerly, 
and settle at what is now Sudbury. The reason for starting 
this settlement was, as the petitioners state in their paper, 
" straitness of accommodation, and want of more meadow." 
Going westerly, they could obtain both these objects ; for, 
bordering on the mother town was a territory through which 
ran a large stream, with abundance of fresh water marsh. But 
though the plan of settlement originated in Watertown, not 
all of those who carried it into effect were inhabitants of that 
place. To a large extent, the settlers came direct from Eng- 
land. Bond, the historian of that town, says, " Only a small 
proportion of the names of the early grantees of Sudbury are on 
the Watertown records ; and some who went there returned. 
Some, whose names are on the records of both places, were 
either' residents of Sudbury but a very short time, or, it may 
be, never lived there at all." The explanation of this may 
be, first, that the plantation was not proposed because all the 
petitioners designed to make it their permanent home, but 
that it might be an outlet to an over-populous place. Water- 
town, it was considered, had too many inhabitants. The 
emigrants of ship after ship, as they arrived at these shores, 
went to the older places ; and this led to what was called 
"straitness of accommodation." New land would present 
oreater allurements to the new comers, and the earlier settlers 
would thus be left undisturbed in their original estates. 
Secondly, speculative purposes may have led some to engage 
in the scheme for the Sudbury settlement. More or less 
doubtless enlisted in the enterprise designing to transfer their 
titles to others, as fresh emigrants came to the country. 
Sharing with the residents of the settlement the expense of 
the undertaking, they had a right to convey the lands that 
were allotted them, and receive such compensation therefor 
as their increased value might bring. Thus, while the plan 
of the settlement of Sudbury originated at Watertown, and 
some of the settlers came from there, yet largely, as we have 
said, it was settled by emigration direct from England. Most 



26 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



or all of the names of the earlier settlers have been preserved, 
and are repeatedly given in connection with land divisions 
prior to the close of 1040. 

From the town records we have compiled the following 
list of the early grantees or settlers, who went to the Sud- 
bury Plantation about 1638 or 1639: — 



.Mr. William Pelham, 
Mr. Edmund Browne, 
Mr. Peter Noyse, 
Bryan Pendleton, 
Walter Maine, 
John Haine, 
John Blandford, 
Hugh Griffyn, 
Edmond Goodnowe, 
Robert Beast, 
Thomas Noyse, 
Thomas Browne. 
Robert Darnill, 
William Browne, 
Thomas Goodnow, 
.loli n Freeman, 
Solomon Johnson. 
William Ward. 
Richard Newton, 
John Howe. 
George Munnings, 
Anthony Wh\ te, 
Andrew Belcher. 
John ( roodnowe, 
John Reddoek, 
Thomas Whyte, 
John Knight, 
William Barker. 



John Parmenter, Senior, 

Edmond Rice, 

Henry Rice, 

Wyddow Buffumthvte, 

Henry Curtis, 

John Stone, 

John Parmenter, Jun., 

John R utter, 

John Toll, 

Henry Loker, 

John Wood, 

John Loker, 

Widow Wright, 

John Bent, 

Nathaniel Treadaway, 

Robert Hunt, 

Widow Hunt, 

John Maynard, 

Joseph Taintor, 

Robert Fordum, or Fordham, 

Thomas Joslvn, or Jslen, 

Richard Sanger, 

Richard Bildcome. 

Robert Davis, 

Henry Prentiss, 

Win. Kerly. 

Thomas Hoyte. 

Thomas Flvn. 



The following arc names of persons who were at the set- 
tlement soon after ii began : — 



Thomas Axdell, 
Thomas Brad, 



John Moore, 
Thomas Bisbis;, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 27 

Thomas Plympton, John Waterman, 

Hugh Drury, Goodman Witherell, 

Philemon Whale, John George, 

Wm. How, Thomas King, 

John Smith, Peter King, 

Thomas Buckmaster, Jonas or James Pendleton, 

John Grout, John Woodward, 

Thomas Cakebread, Shadrach Hapgood, 

John Redit, Edward Wright. 

Of the Sudbury settlers who once lived in Watertown, we 
have the following names : Robert Betts (Beast), Thomas 
Cakebread, Henry Curtis, Robert Daniel (Darnell), John 
Grout, Solomon Johnson, John Knight, George Munnings, 
William Parker, Bryan Pendleton, Richard Sanger, Joseph 
Tainter, Anthony White, Goodman (John) Wetherell, Na- 
thaniel Treadaway, John Stone. 

Some of these men were prominent and valuable citizens 
of Watertown. Bryan Pendleton was one of its early Se- 
lectmen. Nathaniel Treadaway and John Stone were sons-in- 
law of Elder Edward How. Robert Betts had a share in the 
Great Dividend Allotment, and the Beaver Brook " plow 
lands." Of those who came direct from England, we have 
on a single ship's list of passengers the names of some of the 
most prominent persons in the Sudbury Plantation, namely: 

" The list of the names of the Passeng rs Intended for New 
England in the good shipp the Confidence of London of C C. 
tonnes John Jobson M r And thus by vertue of the Lord 
Treas rs warr 1 of the xjth of April, 1638. Southampton, 
24 Q Aprill 1638. 

" Walter Hayne of Sutton Mandifield in the 
County of Wilts Lennen Weaver 55 
Eliz : Hayne his wife 
Thomas Hayne \ their sonnes 
John Hayne \ under 16 
Josias Hayne ) yeares of age. 
Sufferance Hayne i their 
Mary Hayne ) daughters 



28 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

John Blanford \ their 27 
John Riddett ( 26 

Rich Bildcombe ) servants lii 

Peter Noyce of Penton in the 

County of South" (Southampton) yeoman 47 

Thomas Noyce his sonne 15 

Eliz : Noyce his daughter 

Robert Davis \ his 30 

John Rutter ( 22 

Margarett Davis ) servants 26 

Nicholas Guy] " c ^ / ' [carpenter 50 
- ( Southampton ) l 

Jane his wife 

Mary Guy his daughter 

Joseph Taynter 



Robert Bayley 

John Bent of Penton in the 
County of South' 1 Husband- 
man 35 
Martha Bent his wife 
Robert Bent ^ 
William Bent, their children 
Peter Bent, y all under y e age 
John Bent of 12 years 
Ann Bent J 

John Goodenowe of Semley 

of Welsheir Husbandman 42 
Jane Goodenowe his wife 
Lydia Goodenowe J their 
Jane Goodenowe ( daughters 

Edmund Goodenowe of Dun- 
head in Wilsheire Husbandman : 
Ann Goodenowe his w Lfe 

. , „ . } their sonnes 

John ( goodenowe / . . 

.... . > 4 years ami 

I nomas Goodenowe \ - , 

) under 

Richard Sanger his servant 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 29 

Thomas Goodenowe of Shasbuiy.§ 30 
Jane Goodenow his wife 
Thomas Goodenowe his sonne 
Ursula Goodenowe his sister 
Edmond Kerley ) of AshmOre 22 
William Kerley \ Husbandmen " 

It is not certain that the young men mentioned in this 
ship's list as "servants," or "hired men," ever came in that 
capacity. John Rutter was by trade a carpenter ; Richard 
Sanger was a blacksmith ; one had a family when he came ; 
two others were afterward sons-in-law of the persons in 
whose employ they ostensibly came ; and all of them took 
their place among the substantial men of the settlement. 

It was a tradition among the descendants of John Rutter, 
without their having a knowledge that this ship's list was in 
existence, that their ancestor came to this country disguised 
as a servant. 

The state of the times and the strictness of English laws 
at that period, with regard to ships and emigrants coming to 
America, might be a reason why some might come in disguise. 
If this was so in the case of one, it might have been so with 
regard to the rest. 

In connection with the names of the settlers, it is appropri- 
ate to state something of their character. In attempting 
this, perhaps we can do no better than to say that they fitly 
represented the noble element that came to the New England 
shores at that period. They were Puritans both in theory 
and practice; and afar from the conveniences and luxuries 
of their native land, sought in a new country a home remote 
from ecclesiastical and political strife. They embarked for 
America at a time when England was in an unsettled condi- 
tion, and when ship after ship was bringing to these shores 
some of her purest and stanchest citizens. As we pass 
along, we shall see that they were a practical people, and 
possessed of energy equal to the emergencies incident to 
pioneer life ; and that they began the settlement as men who 
could forecast what a substantial and prosperous community 
would require. The whole trend of their conduct is indica- 



30 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



tive oi self-reliance, though recognizing all proper authority. 
What the common weal required they look hold of with 
and in their adherence to what they though! suitable, they 
showed a perseverance truly commendable. Their proceed- 
ings in town-meeting, and the manner in which the records 
were kept, indicate that the education of a part of then! at 
least was good tor the times: and the measures enacted for 
the common convenience and welfare show common sense 
and sagacity. 

As a religious people, they in no way lacked what we 
ascribe to the historic Puritan. Although compelled by cir- 
cumstances to economize all their resources, and to make the 
most of time, talents and strength to meet the demands of 
every day life, yet they found time to serve their Creator, 
and praise and adore Him in their forest home. Their Chris- 
tianity manifested itself in their steadfast adherence to the 
Christian faith, in their reliance on God. and their love for 
His holy law. 

Industry was a prominent characteristic. From the minis- 
ter down to the humblest citizen, each had a share in the 
manual work of the settlement. Though the minister's sal- 
ary was in part paid in produce, yet he was assigned lands 
and attended to husbandry. Another characteristic trait of 
the settlers seems to have been their desire for territorial 
enlargement and possession, and for the pioneering of new 
places. To such an extent did this spirit prevail in Sudbury 
and its neighboring town. Concord, that the following law 
was passed by the Court in 1645 : — 

" In regard of the great danger that Concord, Sudbury and 
Dedham will be exposed unto, being inland Townes and but 
thinly peopled, it is ordered that no man now inhabiting and 
settled in any of the s'd Townes (whether married or single) 
shall remove to any other Town without the allowance of 
the magistrates or the selectmen of the towns, until they 
shall obtain leave to settle again." 

The settlers o( Sudbury were young men. or in the prime 
of stirring manhood: they were not patriarchs near the close 
o( their pilgrimage. Even those with whom, because of their 
prominence, we most associate dignity and gravity were com- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 31 

paratively young men when the settlement began. By the 
passenger-list of the "■ Confidence " it will be noticed that 
only Walter Haine had reached the age of 55, and John Rut- 
ter was only 22 ; Robert Davis, 30 ; John Blandford, 27 ; 
John Reddet, 26 ; Peter Noyes, 47 ; John Bent, 35 ; John 
Goodeno\v,42 ; Edmund Goodenow, 27 ; Thomas Goodenow, 
30. These ages are doubtless correct, as we have in 1666 a 
deposition made by one of them, Edmund Goodenow, in 
which he alleges that lie is about fifty-five years old. Rev. 
Edmund Browne was in about the prime of life when he 
came to the plantation; and Edmund Rice was about thirty- 
four. In fact, we find in an old petition presented at the 
close of Philip's war in 1676, from a dozen to a score or 
more of names that may have belonged to the early grantees. 
Probably from a quarter to a half century passed before there 
was a generation of old men in Sudbury. Having noticed 
thus much of the character of the Sudbury settlers collec- 
tively, we will give a few facts concerning them individu- 
ally. These facts will serve the purpose not so much of 
genealogy, as an introduction of these ancient worthies, with 
whom the history of our town is so closely connected. 

William Pelham came to this country in the fleet with 
Winthrop, and may have been a brother of Herbert and John 
Pelham. Savage states that he lost the passage with the 
" Govenor's son Henry, by going ashore at Cowes from the 
'Arbella,' and trusting fortune for another ship." It is 
recorded in the Colonial Records, 1645, that " Mr. William 
Pelham being recommended to this Court by y e town of 
Sudbury for the Captaine, and Edmund Goodnow as the 
Ensign, were both accepted and confirmed in their places by 
this Court." In 1645-6 he was selectman, and representa- 
tive in 1647. He returned to England, and was theie in 
1652. 

Edmund Browne. (See chapter on First Minister, 
Meeting-House, etc., and period 1675-1700.) 

Peter Noyes came from England in the ship " Confi- 
dence," 1638. He is called " yeoman " in the ship's passen- 
ger list, but is repeatedly mentioned in the records of this 



32 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

country as "gentleman;" and the term "Mr." is often 
applied. After a short stay in America, he returned to 
England, but came back the next year in the ship "Jona- 
than," with, it is supposed, other children, viz., Nicholas, 
Dorothy, Abigail and Peter ; also the servants John Water- 
man, Richard Barnes and William Street. Mr. Noyes was a 
freeman May 13, 1640, a selectman eighteen years, and rep- 
resented the town at the General Court in 1640, '41 and '50. 
He died Sept. 23, 1657. Three years before his death he 
gave his estate in England to his son Thomas. The day 
before his death he made a will in which he made his son 
Thomas his executor, and named the following other chil- 
dren : Peter, Joseph, Elizabeth (wife of Josiah Haynes), 
Dorothy (wife of John Haynes), Abigail (wife of Thomas 
Plympton), his daughter-in-law Mary (wife of his son 
Thomas), and his kinsman Shadrach Hapgood. The Noyeses 
have lived in various parts of the town. The mill on the 
west side was built by them. (See period 1650-75.) Promi- 
nent members of the family are buried in the Old Burying- 
g'round, Wayland. 

Bryan (or Brian) PENDLETON came from England in 
1634, and became a freeman Sept. 3, 1634. He went to 
Sudbury from Watertown, where he was a grantee of ten lots 
of land, which he sold when he left the place. lie was one 
of the prominent petitioners for a plantation at Sudbury, and 
his name is on the town records as one of the foremost busi- 
ness men of the place. He was early appointed to lead the 
"train band/' and was one of the early selectmen. A hill 
in the centre of the town still bears the name of "Pendleton 
Hill." (See chapter on Cemeteries.) Mr. Pendleton did not 
live long in Sudbury, but returned to Watertown. which 
place he represented in the Colonial Court for several years. 
About 1642 he moved to Portsmouth, of which he was repre- 
sentative some years, and from thence went to Saco. At the 
close of the Indian war of 1676, he returned to Portsmouth, 
where he died in 1681, leaving a will which was made Aug. 
'.'. 1677, and probated Aug. 5, 1681. 

Wai.tki: Haynes (Hayne or Haine) came to America 
from England on the ship "Confidence," in 1638. (See 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 33 

ship's passenger-list;) He was a freeman May 13, 1641. He 
represented the town in the General Court in the years 1641, 
'44^ '48 and '51, and was a selectman ten years. Mr. Haynes 
was probably one of the first grantees to erect a house on the 
west side of the river, which house was probably the "Haynes 
Garrison." He died Feb. 14, 1665. In his will, Thomas is 
mentioned as being away from home, and Sufferance as being 
the wife of Josiah Treadway, and Mary as the wife of Thomas 
Noyes. One piece of property disposed of in his will was a 
tenement in Shaston, Dorsetshire, Eng. The Haynes family 
has been well known and quite numerous in Sudbury. Mem- 
bers of it have lived in various parts of the town, and held 
prominent offices, both civil and military. Capt. Aaron 
Haynes commanded a Sudbury company that marched to 
Concord on the memorable 19th of April, 1775, and partici- 
pated in the stirring events of that day. Dea. Josiah Haynes 
was slain in that contest at the age of eighty, and Joshua 
Haynes was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. (See Revo- 
lutionary period.) One of the descendants was Capt. Israel 
Haynes, who represented the town in the Legislature at the 
session when Charles Sumner was first elected United States 
Senator. (See chapter on Pantry District.) A descendant 
now living in town is Hon. C. F. Gerry, who has served both 
in the House of Represenatives and the Senate of Massachu- 
setts, and whose wife, a great-granddaughter of Judge Fos- 
ter, the first representative in Congress from New Hampshire, 
was a well-known authoress. 

John Haynes, son of Walter, came with his father, in 
1638, in the "Confidence," at the age of sixteen. We hear 
of him about 1658, with other Sudbury parties, in possession 
of lands in the territory of Worcester. (See chapter on 
Colonists from Sudbury.) 

John Blandford came from England in the ship " Confi- 
dence," in 1638, at the age of twenty-seven. He came in 
the employ of Walter Haynes, and, it is supposed, brought 
with him Mary, his first wife, who died Dec. 4, 1641. He 
married for his second wife Dorothy Wright. He had at 
least four children, all born in this country, Sarah, Hannah, 
John and Steven. He made a will, dated Oct. 21, 1687, pro- 



34 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

bated Nov. 23 following- before Sir Edmund Andros. His 
widow received all of the estate for her life. 

Hugh GREFFIN (or Griffing) was a freeman in 164."). and 
held the office of t lie first town clerk in Sudbury. The Col- 
ony Records state that, in 1045, Hugh Griffin was "appointed 
clerk of the writs in place of Walter Ilavnes." He married 
Elizabeth Upson, a widow, who had one daughter by a former 
marriage. He died 1656, and left a will in which are men- 
tioned as his children, Jonathan, Abigail (born Nov. 16, 
1640), Sarah (born Nov. 20, 1042), Shemuel (born Jan. 9, 
1643, O.S.), and also Hannah, daughter of his wife by her 
former marriage. Among his descendants was Rev. Ed- 
ward Dorr Griffin, D. D., who was a professor of Sacred 
Rhetoric at Andover, a pastor of Park-Street Church, Boston, 
and third president of Williams College. Dr. Griffin was born 
at East Haddam, Conn., in 1070, and graduated at Yale Col- 
lege in IT'."). 

Edmund Goodnowe (Goodnow, Goodinow, Goodenow or 
Goodenough) came in the "Confidence," in 1638. The 
house-lot assigned to him was on the north street, the third 
cast of the meeting-house, and adjacent to that of John 
Haynes. He was an early inhabitant on the west side, and 
probably built the " Goodnow Garrison." (See chapter on 
Philip's War.) He was a freeman May 13, 1640. He 
repeatedly represented the town at the General Court, was 
appointed to lay out land, and was a captain of the town 
militia. He died April 6, 1688, aged seventy-seven. His 
wife, Ann, died March 9, 1675, at the age of sixty-seven. 
Edmund Goodnow and wife were buried in the Old Burying- 
ground, Wayland. Mr. Ilavnes brought with him to America 
his children John and Thomas. Hannah and Sarah were 
born afterwards. Thomas, it is supposed, died young. Han- 
nah married James Pendleton, April 29, 1656. Sarah mar- 
ried John Kettle. The Goodnow family has had a promi- 
nent position in town from an early date. It has largely 
dwell on the west side of the river, and to quite an extent 
in the south part of the town. One of the descendants was 
John Goodnow, the donor of the Goodnow Library, who was 
for many years a well-known merchant of Boston; as was 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 35 

also George Good now, who gave a fund for the aid of the 
poor in Sudbury. Their father, John Goodnow, lived to be 
over a hundred years old, and was the last survivor in Sud- 
bury of those who did service in the Revolutionary War. He 
was born on the Noah Clapp farm, about half way between 
Sudbury Centre and South Sudbury, from which he went in 
earhy life to lands in Lanham, formerly owned and occupied 
by Thomas Read and his descendants. 

Robert Betts (Best or Beast) came from Watertown, 
where he owned lands. He died at Sudbury in 1655, 
bequeathing his estate to his brother-in-law, William Hunt, 
and other relatives. 

Thomas Noyes. (See sketch of Peter Noyes.) 

Thomas Browne was at Concord in 1638, and was per- 
haps a brother of Rev. Edmund and William Browne. He 
was a freeman March 14, 1639. His wife's name was Brid- 
get, who died Jan. 5, 1681, and he had several children. It 
is supposed he removed to Cambridge. He died Nov. 3, 1688. 

Robert Darnel (Darniel or Darvell) came to Water- 
town, where he was a grantee of five house-lots. He died 
in 1655. 

William Brown, Bond says in his history of Watertown, 
has been thought to be of the lineage of Christopher Brown 
of Hawkedon, of the Parish of Bury St. Edmunds, County 
of Suffolk, Eng. ; but no evidence of it has been discovered. 
Probably William, Thomas and Edmund Brown were rela- 
tives, if not brothers, and all perhaps arrived at Sudbury at 
or about the same time. William Brown was assigned a 
house-lot on the south street of the settlement, the fourth 
east of the first meeting-house, adjoining that of Edmund 
Goodnow. He eventually settled near Nobscot, on a tract 
of land of two hundred acres, which was granted him by the 
General Court in answer to a petition presented by him in 
1649. (Colonial Records, Vol. III., p. 155.) He was a 
freeman June 2, 1641, and became a prominent man at the 
plantation, and at one time captain of the militia. He was 
the first deacon of the church at Sudbury, and a representa- 
tive under the new charter in 1692. About 1643 he "was 
chosen and sworne surveyor of thearmes of Sudbury." He 



36 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

was married Nov. 15, 1641, to Mary, daughter of Thomas 
Berbeck or Bisby. (See sketch of Thomas Bisby.) He had 
seven children, Mary, Thomas, William, Edmund, Hopestill, 
Susanna and Elizabeth. His son Thomas, born May 22, 
1645, known as Maj. Thomas Brown, was a man of consid- 
erable prominence, because of his public position and ser- 
vices. He married, in 1667, Patience Foster, who died 
August, 1706, aged fifty-two. He married for his second 
wife Mary Phipps of Cambridge, widow of Solomon Phipps, 
Jr., and daughter of Dep.-Gov. Thomas Danforth. His 
daughter Mary married, Jan. 8, 1691, Jonathan Willard of 
Roxbury. Major Brown was a man much engaged in town 
business, a representative for successive years, and com- 
manded a company of horse in the Indian war. In 1701 
he was allowed by the General Court compensation for a 
horse lost in pursuit of the Indians in 1697. He died May 
7, 1709, and the following note is found concerning him in 
the diary of Judge Sewall: "Maj. Thomas Brown, Esq., of 
Sudbury, was buried in the Old Burying-place." We con- 
sider it quite probable that the "Old Brown Garrison'' in 
Sudbury was built by Major Brown. (See chapter on 
Philip's War.) Hopestill, another son, married for his first 
wife Abigail Haynes, and for his second wife Dorothy, the 
widow of Rev. Samuel Paris of Salem withcraft notoriety. 
(See period 1675-1700.) The original William Brown 
homestead at Sudbury was probably at, or not far from, 
the spot where the house now occupied by Hubbard Brown 
formerly stood, which was by a large buttonwood tree on 
the hillside, a short distance to the westward of its present 
location. A short distance southerly, at or near the edge of 
the plain, is still visible the site of another building. Either 
of these may be the spot where William Brown erected the 
first house on his giant of two hundred acres at Nobscot. 
The Brown family has been numerous in Sudbury, living for 
the most part on the west side of the river. Members of the 
family have never ceased to dwell, and occupy land, in the 
neighborhood of Nobscot. In the old homestead located 
there the three brothers. .John, Israel How and Edward, 
were born ; and on the ancestral estate Everett and Hub- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 87 

bard, two sons of Edward, still live. A third son is Dr. 
Frank Brown of Reading, a graduate of Amherst College, 
and surgeon in the Union army in the civil war. 

Thomas Goodnow was a brother of John and Edmund, 
and became a freeman in 1643. He was twice married, and 
had seven children by his first wife, Jane. In his will, bear- 
ing date 1664, he mentions his brother Edmund and John 
Ruddocke. He was petitioner for the Marlboro Plantation, 
and moved there at its settlement. In 1661, '62 and '64, he 
Avas one of its selectmen. At least two of his children were 
born in Sudbury, Thomas, and Mary, who was born Aug. 25, 
1640. The house of his son Samuel, who was born in 1646, 
was one of the Marlboro garrison houses. Mary was killed 
and scalped by the Indians in 1707. 

John Freeman. We have received but few facts relating 
to this early grantee of Sudbury. His wife's name was Eliza- 
beth, and he had one child, Joseph, who was born March 29, 
1645, and who was a freeman in 1678. 

Solomon Johnson became a freeman in 1651. He was 
twice married, his first wife, Hannah, dying in 1651. By 
this marriage he had three children, Joseph or Joshua and 
Nathaniel, who were twins (born Feb. 3, 1640), and Mary 
(born Jan. 23, 1644). He married for his second wife- 
Elinor Crafts, by whom he had four children, Caleb, who 
died young, Samuel (born March 5, 1654), Hannah (born 
April 27, 1656), and Caleb, again (born Oct. 1, 1658). 
He assisted in the formation of the Marlboro Plantatation, 
and was assigned a house-lot of twenty-three acres there. 
He was selectman from 1651 to 1666. His son Caleb 
purchased, with Thomas Brown and Thomas Drury, the 
Glover farm near Cochituate Pond, of John Appleton, Jr. 
Upon this land Caleb erected a house near Dudley Pond, 
Wayland, and died there in 1777. In the inventory of his 
real estate one piece of land was " Beaver-hole meadow/' 

William Ward came to this country about the time of 
the settlement of Sudbury, bringing with him, it is supposed, 
five children, John (born 1626), Joanna (born 1628), Oba- 
diah (born 1632), Richard (born 1635), and Deborah (born 
1637). He became a freeman in 1643. By his second wife, 



38 HTSTORY. OF SUDBURY. 

Elizabeth, he had eight children born in America, Hannah 

(born 1(380), William (born Jan. 22, 1640), Samuel (born 
Sept. 24, L641), Elizabeth (born April 14, 1043), Increase 
(born Feb. 22 1645), Hopestill (born Feb. 24,1646), Elea- 
zer (born 1649), and Bethia (born 1658). In 1643 Mr. 
Ward represented the town as deputy to the General Court 
He was prominent in helping to establish a plantation at 
Marlboro, and moved there in 1660. He was made deacon 
of the church at its organization, and was sent as representa- 
tive of the town in 1666. He died there Aug-. 10, 1687, 
leaving a will made April 6, 1686. His wife died Dee. 9, 
17<H), at the age of eighty-six. 

RICH All!) NEWTON came from England, and was a freeman 
of the colony in 1645. lie was a petitioner for tin- Marlboro 
Plantation, and settled in that part of the plaee now South- 
boro. It is supposed he was twice married, and that Han- 
nah, his last wife, died Dec. 5, 1697. He died Aug. 24, 
1701, at the age of about one hundred years. He had six 
children, the first o( whom, John, was born in 1641. The 
second son was Moses, who, when the Indians attacked 
Marlboro, in 1070, causing the inhabitants who were at 
church to suddenly disperse, nobly remained to assist in 
the escape of an aged woman. He received a ball in 
his arm, but succeeded in removing the woman to a place 
of safety. 

John How (or Howe) was a son of John How. whom it 
is supposed came from Warwickshire, Eng., and was de- 
scended from John How, the son of John of Hodinhull, who 
was connected with the family of Sir Charles How of Lan- 
caster. Kn^. John How was admitted a freeman in 1641, 
and two years later was one of the town's selectmen. In 
L655 he was appointed to see that the youth were well 
behaved on the Sabbath. He was said to be the first white 
settler on the new grant land. He was petitioner for the 
Marlboro Plantation in 1057. and moved to that place about 
the same year, lb' was located east of the Indian "planting 
field," and was the first tavern-keeper in Marlboro, having 
kept a public house there as early, at least, as 107<>. At this 
ordinary his grandson, who afterwards kept the Sudbury 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 39 

" Red Horse Tavern," may have been favorably struck with 
the occupation of an inuholder, and thus led to establish the 
business at Sudbury. Mr. How was a man of kindly feeling 
and uprightness of character, and both Sudbury and Marl- 
boro were favored with the presence of successive genera- 
tions of the family. John How died at Marlboro in 1687, at 
which place and about which time his wife also died. (See 
chapter on Wayside Inn.) 

George Munnings (or Mullings), aged thirty-seven, 
came from Ipswich, County of Suffolk, Eng., in the ship 
" Elizabeth," in 1634. He was accompanied by his wife, 
Elizabeth, aged forty-one, and two children, Elizabeth and 
Abigail, aged respectively twelve and seven, and perhaps a 
daughter Rebecca. He was for a time at Watertown, and 
became a freeman March 4, 1635. He was an active man, 
and prominent in public affairs, both of church and state. 
He was in the Pequot war, and lost an eye in the service. 
In 1845 lie resided at Boston, at which place he died Aug. 
24, 1658. By a will, made the day before his death, he gave 
his estate to his wife. 

Anthony Whyte (or White), aged twentj'-seven, came 
from Ipswich, County of Suffolk, Eng., in 1634. He came 
to this country in the " Francis," went to Watertown, and 
subsequently engaged in the enterprise of a settlement at 
Sudbury. Afterwards he returned to Watertown. He mar- 
ried Grace Hall, Sept. 8, 1645, and had three children, all 
horn in Watertown, Abigail, John and Mary. He died 
March 8, 1686, leaving a will, of which Rebecca, widow of 
his son John, was named executrix. 

Andrew Belcher married Elizabeth, daughter of Nicho- 
las Danforth of Cambridge, Oct. 1, 1639. His occupation at 
one time was that of taverner. He had six children, Eliza- 
beth (born Aug. 17, 1640), Jemina (born April 5, 1642), 

Martha (born July 26, 1644), Mary (born ), Andrew 

(born Jan. 1, 1647), and Ann (born Jan. 1, 1649). He 
died June 26, 1680, leaving a widow. 

John Goodnowe was a brother of Edmund, and came 
with him in the ship " Confidence," at the age of forty-two. 
He was a freeman June 2, 1641, and a selectman of Sudbury 



40 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

in 1644. ITis daughters Lydia and Jane came with him. 
He died March 28, 1554. 

JOHN Reddocke (Ruddocke or Reddick) became a free- 
man of the colony in 1640. He was actively engaged in 
forming the plantation at Marlboro, and in the assignment 
of house-lots he received fifty acres of land. His home- 
stead was northwesterly of the Marlboro meeting-house. He 
was three times married, his second wife, Jane, being sister 
of Rev. Mr. Brimsmead, pastor of the Marlboro church. He 
built one of the first frame houses in Marlboro, was one of 
its first selectmen, first town clerk, and deacon of the church. 

Thomas White was a freeman May 13, 1640. He was a 
selectman in 1642, and shared in the first three divisions «>r' 
land. 

Johst Knight came from Watertown, where he lived in 
168(3. He was a freeman in 1642, and was by trade a 
maulster. 

WILLIAM PARKER came from Watertown. lie became a 
freeman June 2. 1641. The name of his wife was Elizabeth. 
and he had two children, Ephraim (who died in 1640, aged 
five months) and Ruhamah (born Sept. 19, 1641). He had 
land assigned him in the first and second division of meadow 
lands, which amounted to five and one-half acres. The 
house-lot assigned him was on Bridle Point Road, adjacent 
to Peter Noyes. Xone of the Parker family bearing the 
name now live in Sudbury. 

John PARMENTER, Sr., (Parmeter or Permenter) came 
from England to Watertown, and from there to Sudbury, 
and was made a freeman May 13, 1640. He was accom- 
panied to America by his wife Bridget and his son John, 
who became a freeman May, 1642. Other children may have 
come from England with them. His wife died April 6, 1660, 
after which he removed to Roxbury, Mass., where he mar- 
ried Aug. 9, 1660, Annie Dane, widow of John Dane. He 
died May 1, 1671, aged eighty-three. Mr. Parmenter was 
one of the early selectmen, and second deacon of the 
church, to which office he was chosen in 1658. Sept. 4, 
1639, he was appointed one of the commission to lay out 
the land. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 41 

Edmund Rice was born in 1594, and came to this country 
from Barkhamstead, Hertfordshire, Eng. He was twice mar- 
ried. His first wife, Tamazine, died at Sudbury, where she 
was buried June 18, 1654. His second wife, whom he mar- 
ried March 1, 1655, was Mercie (Hurd) Brigham, widow of 
Thomas Brigham of Cambridge. He had twelve children, 
nine of whom were born in England, and the others in Sud- 
bury: Henry (born 1616), Edward (born 1618), Edmund, 
Thomas, Mary, Lydia (born 1627), Matthew (born 1629), 
Daniel (born 1632), Samuel (born 1634), Joseph (born 
1637), Benjamin (born 1640), Ruth (born 1659), and 
Ann (born 1661). Mr. Rice died May 3, 1663, at Marl- 
boro, aged about sixty-nine, and was buried in Sudbury. 
His widow married William Hunt of Marlboro. Mr. Rice 
was a prominent man in the settlement. He early owned 
lands in and out of the town, some of which came by 
grant of the General Court. His first dwelling-place 
at Sudbury was on the old north street. Sept. 1, 1642, 
he sold this place to John Moore, and Sept. 13 of the 
same year leased, for six years, the Dunster Farm, which 
lay just east of Cochituate Pond. He bought of the widow 
Mary Axdell six acres of land and her dwelling-house, 
which were in the south part of the town, and some years 
afterwards he bought of Philemon Whale his house and nine 
acres of land near "the spring" and adjacent to the Axdell 
place ; and these taken together, in part at least, formed the 
old Rice homestead, not far from the " Five Paths " (Way- 
land). This old homestead remained in the Rice family for 
venerations. Edmund sold it to Edmund, his son, who 
passed it to his sons John and Edmund, and afterwards John 
transferred his share of it to his brother Edmund, by whom 
it passed to others of the family, who occupied it till within 
the last half century. On Sept. 26, 1647, Mr. Rice leased 
the " Glover Farm " for ten years, and April 8, 1657, he pur- 
chased the " Jennison Farm," which comprised two hundred 
acres, situated by the town's southerly boundary, and be- 
tween the " Dunster Farm " and what is now Weston ; and 
June 24, 1659, the "Dunster Farm" was purchased by Mr. 
Rice and his son. Mr. Rice was one of the substantial men 



42 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

of the Sudbury plantation. He \v;is a freeman May 13, 1640, 
and was one of the committee appointed by the Colonial 
Court. Sept. 4, 1639, to apportion land to the inhabitants. 
He served as selectman from 1639 to 1644, and was deputy 
to the General Court several successive } r ears. He was promi- 
nent in the settlement of Marlboro, for which he was a peti- 
tioner in 1656. The Rice family in Sudbury have been 
numerous, and the name has been frequently mentioned on 
the town books. 

Henry Rice was the son of Edmund (see sketch of 
Edmund Ilice), and was born in England, 1616. He was 
assigned a house-lot on the south street of the settlement, 
adjacent to that of John Maynard on the east, and his father, 
Edmund, on the west. 

Widow Buffumthyte (or Buff urn thrope). We have 
received no facts concerning this early grantee, except that 
she received early allotments of land. 

Henry Curtis (or Curtice) had his homestead on the 
north street of the settlement, probably about where, until 
within nearly a half century, an old house called the Curtis 
House stood. His descendants have been conspicuous, not 
only in town history, but also in that of the county and 
colony. Ephraim, his son, was a famous Indian scout. (See 
chapter on Philip's War. ) Major Curtis, whose grave is in 
the west part of the " Old Burying-ground," Wayland, was 
a distinguished citizen. (See chapter on Cemeteries.) 

John Stone came to Sudbury from Cambridge, and was 
son of Dea. Gregory Stone of that place. He was born in 
England, and accompanied his father to America. He mar- 
ried Ann, daughter of Elder Edward Howe of Watertown, 
and had ten children, most of whom were born in Sudbury. 
He was at one time an elder in the church, and in 1655 was 
town clerk. He was an early settler on land now in Framing- 
ham, and at one time owned the land that is now included in 
Saxonville. It is supposed when the Indian war began he 
removed to Cambridge. He was representative of that town 
in 1682-83. He died May 5, 1683, ao-ed sixty-four. 

John Parmenter, Jr., was also an early proprietor, and 
kept a tavern or ordinal), at which the committee of the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



43 



Colonial Court and Ecclesiastical Council for the settlement 
of difficulties in Sudbury, in 1655, were entertained. The 
old ordinary was situated on the south street of the settle- 
ment (Wayland), on the house-lot assigned at the general 
allotment of 1639. And until near the beginning of the 
present century the " Old Parmenter Tavern " was continued 
at the same spot, a little westerly of the house occupied by 
the late Dana Parmenter. John Parmenter, Jr., had six 
children, among whom was one named John. His wife, Amy, 
died 1681. The Parmenter family has been numerous in 
Sudbury; they have lived in various parts of the town, and 
been a people of industry and thrift. 




RUTTER. 

Armes. — Gvles, three Garbs and Chief, a Lion Passant Argent, 
or Mullet for difference. 

Nicholas Rutter descended from Kinsley Hall in Com. Chester, who 
came first and lived at Hilcot in Com. Glouc. 



John Rutter came to America in the ship "Confidence," 
in 1638, at the age of twenty-two. He married Elizabeth 
Plympton, who came to this country in the ship "Jonathan," 
in 1639, having as fellow-passengers Peter Noyes, who was 



44 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

on his second voyage to America, and also the mother and 
sister of John Bent, both of whom were named Agnes. 
(See sketch of John Bent.) John Rutter had a house-lot 
assigned him on the north street, a little westerly of Clay-pit 
Hill. He was by trade a carpenter, and engaged with the 
town to build the first meeting-house. (See chapter on First 
Meeting-house.) He had three children, Elizabeth, John 
and Joseph. About the time of the settlement several acres 
of land were given him by the town, in acknowledgment 
of some public service. He was selectman in 1675. His 
descendants for many ye&vs lived on the south street, Way- 
land ; and the old homestead of Joseph Rutter, which name 
has been in the family almost from the very first, still stands, 
being occupied at present by Mr. James A. Draper. At this 
spot Gen. Micah Maynard Rutter, son of Joseph, was born 
in 1779. Gen. Rutter was a prominent man in Middlesex 
County. For years he held the position of sheriff, and re- 
ceived the commission of General from Gov. Lincoln. He 
was energetic and public spirited, and interested in all that 
pertained to the well being of the community. He died in 
1837. Another descendant was Dr. Joseph Rutter Draper. 
He was a graduate of Williams College, principal of the high 
schools in Saxonville and Milford, surgeon in the Union 
army in the Civil War, and a practising physician in South 
Boston, where he died in 1885. His mother's name was 
Eunice, daughter of the last Joseph Rutter. Until her mar- 
riage with Mr. Ira Draper she lived at the old homestead. 
Dr. Draper well represented the John Rutter family, which 
as a race was noted for purity and uprightness of character. 
He was buried in the Old Burying -ground, in Wayland, 
where generation after generation of this ancient family 
were laid. Another grandchild of Joseph Rutter is Mrs. A. 
S. Hudson (L. R. Draper), formerly principal of Wadsworth 
Academy, South Sudbury, and of the high schools of Lin- 
coln, Wayland, and Marlboro. The accompanying fac simile 
of the Coat of Arms was that of Nicholas Rutter, from whom 
John Rutter is supposed to have descended. 

John Toll. We have received but little information 
relative to this early grantee. His wife was named Oath- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 45 

erine, and they had three children, John (born Nov. 20, 
1641, died Jan. 31, 1643), Mary (born Dec. 31, 1643), and 
John who died Jan. 8, 1657. As the male issue all died, the 
family name was not continued in Sudbury. There is still a 
place by the river meadows, between the old causeway and 
Sherman's Bridge, called "Toll's Island." 

John Wood (or Woods) was one of the petitioners for 
the township of Marlboro, and a prominent man of that 
place, being one of its selectmen in 1663-5, and one of the 
early members of the church. He had several children ; and 
his wife, who it is supposed was Mary Parmenter, died Aug. 
17, 1690, aged eighty years. 

John Loker was assigned a house-lot just west of the 
meeting-house, where he lived in a house with his mother 
as late as 1678. The town purchased of him at that date, 
for a parsonage, the east end of his house, together with an 
orchard and four acres of land, and the reversion due to him 
of the western end of the house, which his mother then occu- 
pied. (See period 1675-1700.) It is said that before 1652 
he married Mary Draper. Families by the name of Loker 
have lived within the ancient limits of Sudbury since the 
days of its settlement, dwelling for the most part in the 
territory now Wayland, and more especially in the southerly 
portion. Isaac Loker was captain of a troop of Sudbury 
men on the memorable 19th of April, members of his com- 
pany coming from both sides of the river. (See Revolution- 
ary Period.) 

Henry Loker was perhaps brother of John. 

Widow Wright (or Mrs. Dorothy Wright) early had 
land at Sudbury. She was assigned a house-lot on the south 
street, east of the meeting-house, between that of John Toll 
and John Bent. She married John Blandford, whose wife 
Mary died December, 1641. She was perhaps the mother of 
Edward Wright. 

John Bent came to America from Penton, Eng., in the 
ship " Confidence," in 1638, at the age of thirty-five. He 
was by occupation a husbandman. He was accompanied by 
his wife Martha, and by five children, all of whom were 
under twelve years of age, whose names are as follows: Rob- 



46 BISTORT OF SUDBURY. 

ert, William, Peter, John, Ann (or Agnes) who married 
Edward Rice, Joseph, and Martha who married Samuel How 
in 1668. The same year of his arrival in this country he 
returned to England for others of his family, and came back 
in the ship "Jonathan" the next year. His sister Agnes 
Blanchard and her infant child died on the voyage; and 
his mother Agnes also died on the vo} r age or soon after the 
ship reached our shores. He was a freeman May 13, 164U. 
He was one of the proprietors of the Marlboro Plantation, 
but died Sept. 27, 1672, at Sudbury. His wife died May 15, 
1679. His son Joseph was born at Sudbury, May 16, 1641. 
The Bent family has from the first been quite numerous in 
Sudbury. Some of them have long been residents of Cochit- 
uate, formerly a part of the town. John, Jr., purchased 
land of Hemy Rice near Cochituate Brook, where he built 
a house ; and it is said that he was the fourth person to erect 
a dwelling in the territory of Framingham. The Bents have 
lived on both sides of the river, and the name is still familiar 
within the present limits of the town. 

Nathaniel Treadway (Tredway or Treadaway) was a 
weaver by trade. He married Suffrance, daughter of Elder 
Edward How, and was brother-in-law of John Stone, eldest 
son of Dea. Gregory Stone of Cambridge. He had seven 
children, three of whom were born in Sudbury: Jonathan 
(born Nov. 11, 1640), Mary (born Aug. 1, 1642), and per- 
haps James (born about 1644). On the death of his father- 
in-law he removed to Watertown. There he was appointed 
selectman. He inherited property from Dea. Stone's estate. 
His wife died July 22, 1682. 

Robert Hunt came from Charlestown, where he was in 
1638, and shared in the meadow divisions of Sudbury. 

The Widow Hunt, one of the original proprietors, might 
have been the mother or the sister-in-law of Robert. She 
had a house-lot assigned on the south street, between those 
of John Wood and John Goodnow; but it is supposed she 
sold this, and took one at "Pine Plain." (See map of house- 
lots.) The name of Hunt has long been familiar in Sudbury, 
hut more or Less of this name probabl} r descended from the 
Concord Hunts. The first of the name in Concord was 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 47 

William, who was there as early as 1640, became a freeman in 
1641, and died in Marlboro, October, 1667, leaving an estate 
of X596, and the children Nehemiah, Isaac, William, Eliza- 
beth, Hannah and Samuel. William Hunt was born in 1605, 
and married Elizabeth Best, who died in 1661. He after- 
wards married, while at Marlboro, Mercie [Hurd] Rice, 
widow of Edmund Rice, in 1664. The descendants of 
William Hunt have, for more than fifty consecutive years, 
kept a store at South Sudbury. One of the descendants was 
Mr. Sewall Hunt, who died in 1888, at which time he was 
the oldest inhabitant of the town, and the last of a family of 
ten children. " Mr. Hunt was for more than fifty years a 
member of the Congregational Church of Sudbury. In polit- 
ical matters he was always in advance of the times, being an 
' Abolitionist ' when to be such required strong convictions 
and great moral courage. He was the first, and for two 
years the only, voter in Sudbury of the old ' Liberty party,' 
and for two years a candidate of the ' Free Soilers ' for rep- 
resentative to the General Court/' His farm was called 
the "Hunt place," situated a short distance from "•Hunt's 
bridge," which crosses Lowance Brook not far from the 
southerly limit of the town. He had five children, Sereno 
D., Jonas S., Samuel M., Edwin and Clara J. The eldest, 
Sereno D., has been principal of the high schools at Con- 
cord, Brockton and Milton. Edwin, a graduate of Amherst 
College, was assistant principal of the high school in Utica, 
N. Y. Jonas S., the second son, has for many years occu- 
pied official positions in Sudbury, having been representative 
to the General Court in 1876, one of its selectmen and asses- 
sors for successive years, and its postmaster and town clerk 
for more than a quarter of a century, which positions he still 
holds. Clara, the only daughter, married Rev. John White- 
hill, a Congregational clergyman. Samuel for a time lived 
on the old homestead, and died some years since. 

John Maynard was a freeman in 1644. It is supposed 
he was married when he came to this country, and that he 
brought with him his son John, who was then about eight 
years old. Perhaps there were other children. He married 
for his second wife Mary Axdell, in 1646. He had by this 



48 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

marriage Zachery (born June 7, 1047), Elizabeth, Lydia, 
Hannah, and Mary who married Daniel Hudson. Mr. May- 
nard was one of the petitioners for Marlboro, and died at Sud- 
bury, Dec. 10, 1672. The Maynard family has been promi- 
nent in the town, and honorably connected with its annals. 
Nathaniel Maynard was captain of a company in the Rev- 
olutionary War. 

Joseph Tainter (or Tayntor) was born in England in 
1618. He sailed for America in 1638. He was at Sudbury 
for a short time, where he married Mary Guy (or Gray) 
about 1640, and where for a time he was a selectman. He 
died in 1690, aged eighty-six ; and his wife in 1705, also 
aged eighty-six. He had nine children, four of whom were 
sons. 

Robert Fordum (or Fordham) was from Southampton, 
L. I., and may have come to this country about 1640. He 
Avas for a short time at Cambridge. His wife's name was 
Elizabeth, and he had two children. He died September, 
1674. 

Thomas Joslin (Joslyn or Jslyn) came from London, in 
1635, on the ship " Increase." He was aged forty-three, and 
by occupation a husbandman. His wife's name was Rebecca, 
and her age was forty-three. He had five children, Rebecca, 
Dorothy, Nathaniel, Elizabeth and Mary. He was for a time 
at Hingham, and in 1654 at Lancaster. 

Richard Sanger came to America in the " Confidence." 
He was by occupation a blacksmith. In 1649 he went to 
Watertown. He married Mary, daughter of Robert Rey- 
nold of Boston. He was twice married, and had several 
children. 

Richard Bildcome came in the "Confidence," in 1638. 
He was sixteen years of age, and, according to the ship's 
passenger-list, came in the employ of Walter Haynes. 

Robert Davis (or Davies) came to America in the ship 
"Confidence," with Margaret Davis, who was perhaps his 
sister. His wife's name was Bridget. He had two daugh- 
ters, Sarah (born April 10, 1646) and Rebecca. 

Henry Prentice came from Cambridge. He was a free- 
man in 1650, and died June 9, 1654. His wife Elizabeth 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 49 

died May 13, 1643 ; and by his second wife, Joanna, he had 
six children. 

William Kerley (Carsley or Carlsly) came in the ship 
" Confidence," in 1638, and was a freeman in 1666. He 
was a man of some prominence in the colony, having land 
assigned him at Pedock's Island, Nantasket, in 1642. He 
was a proprietor of Marlboro in 1657, and a selectman for 
years. At one time, also, he was sent as representative. In 
1667 he was appointed by the General Court to lay out land 
between Concord, Lancaster, and Groton. His wife's name, 
as mentioned in his will, was Anna, daughter of Thomas 
King. He had three children, Mary, Sarah and Hannah. 
By his will he gave his brother Henry "his sword, belt and 
other arms; and also his military books." 

Thomas Flyn. This name is found among the early pro- 
prietors, on the town books, but we conjecture it may have 
been written by mistake for Thomas Joslyn, or Jslyn. 

Thomas Axtell (or Axdell) came to this country about 
1642. He was born at Burkhamstead, Eng., in 1619. A 
brother was Col. Daniel Axtell, a soldier and officer under 
Oliver Cromwell. He commanded the guard at the trial of 
Charles I. ; for which he was put to death as a regicide, 
when Charles II. was restored. Thomas Axtell settled in 
Sudbury, and died there in 1646, at the age of twenty-seven. 
His son had land in Marlboro in 1660, married in 1665, and 
had several children. He was killed by the Indians, April 
21, 1676. His descendants were early settlers of Grafton. 

Thomas Read (or Reed) was in Sudbury as early as 1654. 
He was the son of Thomas Reed of Colchester, Essex Co., 
Eng., a carpenter; a memorandum of whose will, dated 
July, 1665, and probated 1666, was published in the "New 
England Historical and Genealogical Register," Vol. XXL, 
p. 369, August, 1867, by Mr. William S. Appleton of Boston, 
who copied it in London. By the will of Rev. Edmund 
Brown, and depositions taken in court, Thomas Read was his 
nephew; the term cousin being used for nephew (Waters). 
In the will of Thomas Read of Colchester, his son Thomas in 
America is mentioned ; also there is mention of his son-in- 
law, Daniel Bacon, who married his daughter Mary, who 



50 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

were also living in America. Other relations are also men- 
tioned, but not as being in this country. Thomas Read set- 
tled at Sudbury, in the Lanham district, on laud which he 
purchased of his uncle, Rev. Edmund Brown, while he (Mr. 
Read) was in England. This Ideality was probably called Lan- 
ham by Rev. Edmund Brown, from a little place in England 
spelled Lavenham, but pronounced Lannam, near Sudbury, 
or between Sudbury and Bury St. Edmunds, about which 
locality Mr. Brown and Mr. Read are supposed to have 
come from, and from which place Mary Goodrich, the wife 
of Thomas Read, the son of Thomas Read of Lanham, came. 
Thomas Read, the older in this country, married for his first 
wife Catherine, and for his second wife Arrabella. He had 
one son, whose name was Thomas; and in the two following 
generations there were but two children, both sons, and both 
also named Thomas, the last being born in 1678. Thomas 
of this latter date had live children, Nathaniel (born 1702), 

Thomas (born ). Isaac (born 1704). Daniel (born 

1714), and Joseph (born 1722). Nathaniel settled in War- 
ren ; Thomas and Daniel settled in Rutland. Mass.: Isaac 
and Joseph remained in Sudbury. Joseph had one son 
named Joseph (born 177:!)- who married Olive Mossman of 
Sudbury, who died there March 9, 1877, at the age of ninety- 
seven, being at the time of her death the oldest person in 
town. By the death of Joseph Read the last of the descend- 
ants bearing the family name ceased to be residents of Sud- 
bury ; but descendants bearing other names have long lived 
there, among whom were his daughters Sybel, wife of J. P. 
Allen ; Almira. wife of George Heard ; Sarah, wife of D. L. 
Willis; and Maria, wife of Martin N. Hudson. Mr. Joseph 
Read and wife are buried in Wadsworth Cemetery, in the 
family lot of A. S. Hudson, a grandson. Thomas Read was 
a prominent citizen of Sudbury. He was early appointed 
one of the tything-men. and in 1»>77 he was one of the per- 
sons to whom the town gave leave to build a saw-mill upon 
Bop Brook. (See period lt>7o-1700.) His place at Lan- 
ham Avas for many years in the family, and his descendants 
have been widely scattered and useful citizens. (See chapter 
on Lanham District.) Says the historian of Rutland of the 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 51 

descendants of the Sudbury Reads, who settled there: "This 
family of Reads have been useful and industrious inhabitants 
of Rutland for one hundred and twenty years." Asahel 
Read was one of the two Sudbury soldiers who were killed 
at the battle of Concord and Lexington. (See Revolution- 
ary Period.) For the space of about two centuries the name 
of Read is connected with the annals of Sudbury. One of 
the descendants of Nathaniel Read who settled at Warren 
is Alanson Read, Jr., a well-known citizen of Chicago, and 
one of the proprietors of Read's "Temple of Music." He 
has been lately engaged in preparing a history of the Read 
family. 

John Moore was at Sudbury by 1643, and may have 
come to America from London in the "Planter," in 1635, at 
the age of twenty-four, or he may have arrived in 1638. He 
was twice married, his first wife's name being Elizabeth, and 
he had several children. His second wife was Ann, daugh- 
ter of John Smith. Llis daughter Mary married Richard 
Ward, and Lydia (born June 24, 1643) married, in 1664, 
Samuel Wright. In 1642 he bought the house-lot of 
Edmund Rice. In 1645 he bought of John Stone "his 
house-lot, with all other land belonging to the said John 
Stone that shall hereafter be due to the said John Stone by 
virtue of his first right in the beginning of the plantation of 
Sudbury ; and also all the fences that is now standing about 
any part of the said land, and also all the board and shelves 
that are now about the house, whether fast or loose, and now 
belonging to the said house." (Town Records, Vol.1 ., p. 54.) 
The Moore family have long been numerous in Sudbury, 
members of it living on both sides of the river, and at times 
taking prominent part in the affairs of the town, Ephraim 
Moore, who lived in the west part, was major of the Second 
Battalion of Rifles, M. V. M. 

Thomas Bisbig Besbedge (or Bessbeck) came to America 
in the ship "Hercules, in 1635, with six children and three 
servants. He embarked at Sandwich, County of Kent. He 
went to Sudbury, joined the church there, and afterwards 
went to Duxbury. He subsequently came back to Sudbury, 
where he died March 9, 1674. He left a will, which was 



52 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

dated Nov. 25, 1672, and probated April 1,1674. In this 
will he directed thai his body be buried "at the east end of 
the church ;" and he gives to his grandson, Thomas Brown, 
the eldest son of his daughter Mary, wife of William Brown, 
all the houses and lands in the parishes of Hedcorn and Frit- 
tenden, County of Kent, Eng.; and lie mentions his great- 
grandchildren, Mary, Patience and Thankful, daughters of 
the said Thomas Brown, also other children of this daughter 
Mary, of whom there were seven. 

Thomas Plympton (or Plimpton) was at Sudbury by 
1643. He may have come to America in the ship "Jona- 
than," which sailed from London, for Boston, April 12, 1639, 
bringing among its passengers Elizabeth Plympton and Peter 
Noyes. Sometime before L649 he was in the employ of Mr. 
Noyes, as is shown by the following record: "Peter Nov.-. 
Sr., did give unto Thomas Plympton, once his servant, the 
sum of six acres of meadow, of his third addition of meadow 
lying on the meadow called Gulf Meadow, with the com- 
monage unto the same belonging. Sept. 26, 1649. " (Town 
Records, p. 89.) He married Abigail, daughter of Peter 
Noyes, and had seven children, Abigail, .Jane, Mary, Eliza- 
beth, Thomas, Dorothy and Peter. Thomas Plympton and 
Elizabeth, who married John Putter, were probably brother 
and sister, as both were legatees of Agnes Bent, a grand- 
mother of Elizabeth. He was killed by the Indians, April 
20, 1676, the day before the Wadsworth fight, while he was 
engaged, tradition says, in endeavoring to bring a Mr. Boone 
and son to a garrison house. The Plympton family has been 
numerous, and members of it have been prominent in the an- 
nals of Sudbury. Thomas Plympton was a tower of strength 
to the town in the Revolutionary War, being a member of the 
Provincial Congress, and the one to whom the news of the ap- 
proach of the British to Concord was first brought. He was 
at Concord the 19th of April, and had a bullet put through 
his clothing. (Sec Revolutionary period.) The old Plymp- 
ton house, a large unpainted structure, was about a mile 
from Sudbury centre, and was demolished a few years since. 
HUGH DrURY. was in Sudbury as early as 1641, and was 
by trade a carpenter, lie married Lydia, daughter of Edmund 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 53 

Rice, for his first wife, who died April 5, 1675 ; and for his 
second wife, Mary, the widow of Rev. Edward Fletcher. 
He had two children, John and Hugh. After dwelling in 
Sudbury for a time, where he bought a house and land of 
William Swift, he removed to Boston, and died July 6, 1689, 
and was buried in the Chapel Burying-ground with his wife, 
Lydia. 

Philemon Whale was in Sudbury in 1646. He was a 
freeman May 10, 1688, and Nov. 7, 1649, married Sarah, the 
daughter of Thomas Cakebread. His wife died Dec. 28, 
1656 ; and Nov. 9, 1657, he married Elizabeth Griffin. He 
owned land in various parts of the town, but his early home 
is supposed to have been not far from the head of the mill- 
pond (Wayland), perhaps by the present Concord road. He 
afterwards built a house in the neighborhood of the " Rice 
Spring." A culvert or bridge at the head of the mill-pond 
is still called Whale's Bridge ; but the name, except as it is 
thus perpetuated, is now seldom heard within the limits of 
the town. 

John Smith was at Sudbury in 1647. He may have been 
John Smith, an early settler of Watertown, or a relative of 
his. His wife's name was Sarah. He had assigned him lot 
No. 29 in the second squadron of the two-mile grant. The 
name Smith has been a common one in town. Capt. Joseph 
Smith commanded a company from Sudbury on the 19th of 
April, 1775. The Smiths have lived in various parts of the 
town, and were early settlers of what is now Maynard, the 
names of Amos and Thomas Smith being prominent among 
the pioneers of that part of Sudbury territory . A descend- 
ant of the Smiths on the east side of the river is Mr. Elbridge 
Smith, formerly principal of the Norwich Free Academy and 
present master of the Dorchester High School. 

Thomas Buckmaster (or Buckminster) it is supposed 
was of the family of John of Peterborough, Northampton- 
shire, Eng. He was a freeman in 1646, and was at one time 
at Scituate and afterwards at Boston. His wife's name was 
Joanna, and he had several children. He died Sept. 28, 
1656. Descendants of the family early went to Framing- 
ham, and have been numerous and prominent. One was 



;")4 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Col. Jose})!), an officer in the French and Indian War period. 
Another was Major Lawson, who was in the Revolutionary 
War. A third, and one well known, was Thomas, a tavern- 
keeper, deacon and selectman : and another was William, 
who was publisher and editor of "The Boston Cultivator" 
in 1839-41, and who established "The Massachusetts Plough- 
man." 

John Grout came from Watertown to Sudbury about 
1643, and about the same time came into possession of the 
Cakebread mill, and was allowed by the town "to pen water 
for the use of the mill " on land adjacent to the stream above. 
The name of his fust wife was Mary, and for his second wife 
he married the widow of Thomas Cakebread. lie had ten 
children, two of them by his first marriage, John (born Aug. 
8, 1641) and Mary (born Dec. 11, 1(343). His children by 
his second marriage were John, Sarah (who married John 
Loker, Jr.), Joseph, Abigail (who married, in 1078, Joseph 
Curtis), Jonathan, Elizabeth (who married Samuel Allen), 
Mary (who married Thomas Knapp), and Susanna (who 
married John Woodward). 

Thomas CAKEBREAD was from Watertown. and became a 
freeman May 14, 1(334. In 1637 he married Sarah, daughter 
of Nicholas Busby. He was for a while at Dedham, and 
subsequently at Sudbury, where 1 he died .Ian. 4, 1643. He 
erected the first mill at Sudbury, for which the town granted 
him hinds. (See chapter on First Church, Meeting-house, 
Mill, etc.) The Colony Records state that, in 1642, "Ensign 
Cakebread was to lead the Sudbury company.'* His widow 
married Capt. John Grout, and his daughter Mary married 
Philemon Whale, at Sudbury, Nov. 1, 1649. 

John Rediat lived at Sudbury for a time. He became an 
original proprietor at Marlboro, and at the assignment of 
house-lots he received twenty-two and one-half acres. He 
had one child bom in Sudbury, in 1(352. He died April 7. 
1687. 

John Waterman came to this country in the ship "Jona- 
than," and landed at Boston, 1639. His passage was paid 
by Mr. Peter Noyes, and hence it is supposed he was in his 
employ. No descendants of this name live in Sudbury, and 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 55 

we have found nothing to designate the former dwelling- 
place of this early inhabitant. 

Goodman Witherell early received land in the town. 
His name is mentioned in the list of those who received land 
in one of the divisions of meadow. 

John George. We have found no facts relative to the 
genealogy of this early grantee, and the name is not familiar 
in Sudbury. He was in the town as early as 1644. 

Thomas King was at Sudbury near 1650. In 1655 he 
married Bridget Davis. He owned land in the fourth squad- 
ron of the two-mile grant, his lot being No. 50, and adjoining 
the cow-pen in the southwest part of Sudbury. (See chapter 
on periods 1650-75.) He was one of the petitioners for the 
plantation of Marlboro, in 1656, and was on the first board 
of selectmen of that town. 

Peter King was at Sudbury not far from 1650. He was 
a man of some prominence in the town, being a deacon of 
the church, and a representative to the Colonial Court in 
1689-90. He was one of the contracting parties for the 
erection of the second meeting-house. Peter King's home- 
stead was probably not far from the town bridge, on the east 
side of the river, a place on the river not far from this point 
being still called " King's Pond." The name King was often 
spoken in earlier times in the town ; but perhaps not in the 
memory of any now living have any descendants of these 
early inhabitants, of this name, lived there. 

James Pendleton was a son of Brian, and came from 
Watertown. His wife, whose name was Mary, died Nov. 7, 
1655, and he married for a second wife Hannah, daughter of 
Edmund Goodnow, at Sudbury, April 29, 1656. By his 
first marriage he had one son, James (born Nov. 1, 1650), 
and by his second marriage he had Brian, Joseph, Edmund, 
Ann, Caleb and James. He was one of the founders of the 
first church at Portsmouth, in 1671. He lived at Stoning- 
ton in 1674-8, and at Westerly in 1586-1700. He acquired 
the title of captain, and served in Philip's war. 

John Woodward, at the age of thirteen, came to this 
country in the ship " Elizabeth," in 1684. He was accom- 
panied by his father, and was for a time at Watertown. His 



56 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

wife's name was Mary, and they had a son, horn March 20, 
1650, who it is supposed died young. He went to Sudbury, 
where his wife died July 8, 1654. He afterwards moved to 
Charlestown, and there married Abigail, daughter of John 
Benjamin, widow of Joshua Stubbs. He returned to Sud- 
bury, and by his second marriage he had three children, 
Rose (born Aug. 18, 1659), John (born Dec. 12, 1661), and 
Abigail. He was a freeman 1690, and died at Watertown, 
Feb. 17, 1696. John Woodward received in the division of 
the two-mile grant lot No. 41, adjoining that of John Moore, 
in the fourth squadron. The name appeared from time to 
time in the earlier annals of Sudbury, but has for many years 
ceased to be as familiar to the town's people as formerly. 
Daniel Woodward, who died in 1760, built a mill on Hop or 
Wash Brook in 1740, and about one hundred and fifty years 
ago he also erected the house occupied by Ca.pt. James Moore, 
who is one of his descendants. 

Shadrach (or Sydrach) Hapgood, at the age of fourteen. 
embarked at Gravesend, Eng., for America, May 30, 1656, on 
the ship "Speedwell," Robert Locke, master. He settled in 
Sudbury, and married Elizabeth Treadway, Oct. 21, 1664. 
He was killed in the Nipnet country, near Brookfield, in an 
expedition against the Indians under the command of Capt. 
Hutchinson. (See chapter on Philip's War.) He left three 
or more children, one of whom, Thomas, was born in Sud- 
bury, Oct. 1, 1669. He settled in the northeast part of 
Marlboro, at which place he died Oct. 4, 1765, aged ninety- 
five. He left nine children, ninety-two grandchildren, two 
hundred and eight great-grandchildren, and four great-great- 
grandchildren. 

Edward Wright was perhaps a son of the Widow Doro- 
thy Wright, and may have come to Sudbury with her. He 
married Hannah Axtell (or Adell), June 18, 165!), who died 
May 18, 1708. He had eight children, one of whom was 
Capt. Samuel Wright, one of the prominent settlers of Rut- 
land, and conspicuous in one of the Indian wars, having 
charge of a company of rangers, and doing good service on 
the frontier. Edward Wright died at Sudbury, Aug. 7, 1703. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Method of Acquiring Territory. — Character and Jurisdiction of the 
Massachusetts Bay Colony. — Colonial Court. — Response to the 
Petition for a Plantation at Sudbury. — Successive Land Grants. — 
Purchase of Territory. — Indian Deeds. — Incorporation of the 
Town. — Name. — Sketch of Sudbury, Eng. — Town Boundaries. 

We have no title-deeds to house or lands ; 

Owners and occupants of earlier dates 
From graves forgotten stretch their dusty hands, 

And hold in mortmain still their old estates. 

Longfellow. 

Before considering the successive steps in the settlement 
of the town, we will notice the methods by which the set- 
tlers became possessed of the territory. There were "two 
parties with which contracts were to be made, namely, the 
Colonial Court and the Indian owners of the land. To ignore 
either would invalidate their claim. From the former it was 
essential to obtain a permit to make a settlement, to sell out 
and remove from Watertown, to secure the appointment of a 
committee to measure and lay out the land ; and from the 
Indians they Avere to purchase the territory. 

In order to obtain a right knowledge of the matter before 
us, it is important to consider, first, the authority and nature 
of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay. King James of 
England claimed by right of discovery all the continent of 
North America. In the eighteenth year of his reign, he 
transferred a portion of this to a company called " The 
Colony of Plymouth in the County of Devon, for the plant- 
ing, ruling, ordering and governing of New England in 
America." " The territory conveyed was all that part of 
America lying and being in breadth from forty degrees to 
forty-eight degrees of north latitude, and in length of and 

57 



58 HTSTORY OF SUDBUKV. 

within all the breadth aforesaid through the mainland from 
sea to sea." And a condition upon which the conveyance 
was made was, that "the grantees should yield and pay 
therefor the fifth part of the ore of gold and silver which 
shonld happen to be found in any of the said lands." From 
this " Council of Plymouth in the County of Devon " a com- 
pany, in 1628, purchased a tract of territory defined as being 
"three miles north of any and every part of the Merrimac 
River," and " three miles north of any and every part of 
the Charles River," and extending westward to the Pacific 
Ocean. Some of the chief men of this company were John 
Humphry, John Endicott, Sir Henry Roswell, Sir George 
Young, Thomas Southcoote, Simon Whitcomb, John Win- 
thrope, Thomas Dudley and Sir Richard Saltonstall. 

The proprietors received a charter from the King, March 
14, 1629, and were incorporated by the name of "the Gov- 
ernor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New Eng- 
land." The government of this company was vested in a 
governor, deputy governor and eighteen assistants, who were 
to lie elected annually by the stockholders of the corporation. 
A general assembly of the freemen of the colony (see chap- 
ter on Town-meetings) was to be held once in four years at 
the least, for purposes of legislation. The king claimed no 
jurisdiction, since he regarded the affair, not as the founding 
of a nation or state, but as the incorporation of a trading 
establishment. But, although the common rights of British 
subjects were conferred upon these Massachusetts Bay colo- 
nists, a broader and better basis was soon to be adopted. 
In September, 1629, the members of the new company, at a 
meeting in Cambridge, Eng., signed an agreement to trans- 
fer the charter and government to the colonists. Upon this 
desirable change, enterprising men set sail for this country, 
and soon that portion of it now Salem and Boston was 
smiling with settlements that were founded by persons of 
marked character and intelligence. In May, 1631, it was 
decided, at an assembly of the people, that all the officers of 
the government should thereafter be chosen by the freemen 
of the colony; and in 1634 the government was changed to 
a representative government, the second of the kind in 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 59 

America. This government had its court, to which dele- 
gates were sent by the people, called " The Great and Gen- 
eral Court of the Massachusetts Colony." 

By the authority of a Court thus established, land grants 
were allowed the New England colonists. Some of these 
grants were to companies who designed to establish towns, 
and some to individuals, for considerations that the court saw 
fit to recognize. In the former case, certain conditions were 
imposed, namely, that the place sought should be settled 
within a specified time, that a certain number of settlers 
should go there, and that a church should be established and 
the gospel ministry maintained. These land grants were 
usually preceded by a petition, stating the object for which 
the land tract was sought, and perhaps reasons why the 
court should allow it. The territory of Sudbury was in 
part granted to the people collectively who formed the plan- 
tation and established the town, and in part to individuals. 
The grants to the former were allowed at three different 
times, and were preceded by three different petitions. The 
first petition met with a response Nov. 20, 1637, of which 
the following is a copy : — 

" Whereas a great part of the chief inhabitants of Water- 
town have petitioned this Court, that in regard to their 
straitness of accommodation, and want of meadow, they 
might have leave to remove and settle a plantation upon 
the river, which runs to Concord, this Court, having respect 
to their necessity, doth grant their petition, and it is hereby 
ordered, that Lieut. (Simon) Willard, Mr. (William) Spen- 
cer, Mr. Joseph Weld and Mr. (Richard) Jackson shall take 
view of the places upon said river, and shall set out a place 
for them by marks and bounds sufficient for fifty or sixty 
families, taking care that it be so set out as it may not hinder 
the settling of some other plantation upon the same river, if 
there be meadow, and other accommodations sufficient for 
the same. And it is ordered, further, that if the said inhabi- 
tants of Watertown, or any of them, shall not have removed 
their dwellings to their said new plantation, before one year 
after the plantation shall be sot out, that then the interest of 



60 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

all such persons, not so removed to the said plantation, shall 
lie void and cease, and it shall be lawful for such as are 
removed and settled there, or the greater part of them, being 
freemen, to receive other persons to inhabit in their rooms, 
in the said plantation ; provided, that if there shall not be 
thirty families at least there settled before the said time lim- 
ited, that then this Court, or the Court of Assistants, or two 
of the Council, shall dispose of the said plantation to any 
other. And it is further ordered, that after the place of the 
said plantation shall be set out, the said petitioners, or any 
such other freemen as shall join them, shall have power to 
order the situation of their town, and the proportioning of 
lots, and all other liberties as other towns have under the 
proviso aforesaid. And it is lastly ordered, that such of the 
said inhabitants of Watertown, as shall be accommodated in 
their new plantation, may sell their houses and improved 
grounds in Watertown ; but all the rest of the land in Water- 
town, not improved, shall remain freely to the inhabitants, 
which shall remain behind, and such others as shall come to 
them. 

"And the said persons appointed to set out the said plan- 
tation, are directed so to set out the same, as there may be 
1500 acres of meadow allowed to it, if it be there to be had, 
with any convenience, for the use of the town." (Colony 
Records, Vol. I., p. 210.) 

A further record of Court action, dated March 12, 1(337-8, 
is as follows : — 

"The Court thinketh meet that they (of Watertown) 
should have liberty to sell their allotments in Watertown, 
and they are to give their full answer the next Court, 
whether they will remove to the new plantation and John 
Oliver put in the room of Richard Jackson, for to lay out 
the said plantation, which they are to do before the next 
Court." 

The Court having granted the request for a plantation at 
Sudbury, allowed the petitioners to go on with their work, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 61 

and appointed a committee to establish the bounds and 
make an allotment of land, as set forth by the following 
record : — 

"At Gennall Court held at Boston the 6 th Day of the 
7 th Month, a 1638 [Sept. 6, 1638]. 

" The petitioners M r Pendleton, M r Noyse, M r Brown, and 
Comp a , are allowed to go on in their plantation, & such as 
are associated to them and Lift. Willard, Thomas Bro 
[Brown] and M r John Oliver are to set out the bounds of 
the said plantation & they are alowed 4 s a clay, each of them 
& M r John Oliver 5 sh s a day, to bee borne by the new plan- 
tation. And the petitioners are to take care that in their 
alotments of land they have respect as well to men's estates 
& abilities to improve their lands, as to their number of per- 
sons ; and if any difference fall out the Court or the counsell 
shall order it." (Colony Records, Vol. I., p. 238.) 

The land first appropriated was supposed to comprise a 
tract about five miles square. It had for boundaries Concord 
on the north, Watertown (now Weston) on the east, and on 
the south a line running from a point a little east of Nobscot 
Hill along the present Framingham and Sudbury boundary 
direct to the Weston town bound, and on the west a line 
two miles east of the present western boundary. 

The second grant was of an additional mile. This was 
allowed, to make up a deficiency in the first grant, which defi- 
ciency was discovered on making a survey a few years after 
the settlement began, and it was petitioned for May 13, 1640. 
The petition was for a mile in length on the southeast and 
southwest sides of the town ; and it was allowed on condition 
that it would not prevent the formation of another plantation, 
" or hinder Mrs. Glover's farm of six hundred acres formerly 
granted." (Colony Records, Vol. I., p. 289.) 

The third tract was granted in 1649. It contained an area 
two miles wide, extending along the entire length of the west- 
ern boundary. The Colony Record concerning this grant is: 
" That Sudberry is granted two miles westward next adjoin- 
ing to them for their furth r inlargement, provided it [preju- 



62 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

dice] not W m Browne in his 200 acres already granted." (Vol. 
II., p. 273). 

Besides these three grants, there were others made to indi- 
viduals. One of these was to William Browne, of which the 
record is as follows: "In answer to the petition of W m Browne 
ffor two hundred ac rs dew for twenty five pounds putt into 
the joy net stocke by M rs Ann Harvey his Aunt, from whom 
he made it appear to the Court he had sufficyent deputacon 
to require it, his request was grannted ; viz., 200 ac rs of land 
to be laved out to him w th out the west lyne of Sudbury by 
Capt. Simon Willard & Seargeant Wheeler." This land was 
easterly of Nobscot Hill, and about the locality where the 
Browns have since lived. 

Another grant was the Glover Farm, situated on the town's 
southerly border. This tract was largely in the territory of 
Framingham. It consisted of six hundred acres, granted to 
Elizabeth, the widow of Rev. Josse Glover. Mr. Glover, 
rector of Sutton, Eng., in the June of 1638 made a contract 
with Steven Day, a printer, to come over at his expense, 
designing to set up a printing-press in Cambridge, the seat 
of the university. Shortly afterward he embarked for this 
country, but died on the passage, and was buried at sea. 
Mr. Glover had aided the colonists in various ways, and by 
his death they lost a valuable friend. This land tract may 
have been given to his widow in recognition of service 
received. It lay westerly and northerly of Cochituate Pond, 
extending to the northeast corner of Dudley Pond, thence to 
the Sudbury old town bound ; being bounded on the west by 
the river, and on the south by Cochituate Brook. 

Another grant was that of the "Dunster Farm," some- 
times called the "Pond Farm." This was a tract of six 
hundred acres, granted, in 1640, to Henry Dunster, first 
president of Harvard College, who in 1641 married Mrs. 
Elizabeth Glover. This farm was situated southeasterly of 
the " Glover Farm," and had Cochituate Lake for its west- 
ern boundary. 

Beyond this farm easterly was a tract of two hundred 
acres, extending towards the Weston town line, and called 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 63 

the " Jennison Farm." This was granted, in 1638, to Capt. 
William Jennison of Watertown, for service that he rendered 
in the Pequot war. It was laid out in 1646. 

Another grant was to Mr. Herbert Pelham, Sept. 4, 1639. 
This land grant was situated in the present territory of 
Wayland, and was what is called " The Island." For many 
years it was mostly owned and occupied by the Heards. Mr. 
Pelham came to America in 1638, and for a time lived at 
Cambridge. Savage states that he was a gentleman from 
the county of Lincoln, and when in London, where he may 
have been a lawyer, was a friend of the colony. Governor 
Hutchinson says, " He was of that family which attained the 
highest rank in the peerage, one hundred years ago, as Duke 
of Newcastle." He was much engaged in public service, 
and put into the common stock of the colony <£100. He 
became a freeman in 1645, at which time he was chosen an 
assistant. He was the first treasurer of Harvard College in 
1743. In 1645 Herbert Pelham, Thomas Flynt, Lieutenant 
Willard and Peter Noyes were appointed commissioners of 
sewers "for bettering and improving of y e ground upon 
y e river running by Concord and Sudbury " (Colony Rec- 
ords, Vol. III., p. 13). He returned to England in 1649, 
and resided at Buers Hamlet, County of Essex. He died 
in England, and was buried at Bury St. Mary's, in Suffolk 
County, July 1, 1673. By his will, dated Jan. 1, 1672, he 
gave his lands in Sudbury to his son Edward. His daughter 
Penelope married, in 1657, Gov. Josiah Winslow. "Pelham's 
Island " was sold in 1711 by the Pelhams, who were then 
in Newport, R. I., to Isaac Hunt and Samuel Stone, Jr., who 
in November of that year sold a part of it to Jonathan and 
George Read. 

Land was also granted to Mr. Walgrave, who was father- 
in-law of Herbert Pelham. The Records state concerning 
both of these men that "they are granted their lots at Sud- 
bury absolutely w th condition of dwelling there only Mr. 
Pelham p mised to build a house there, settle a family there 
and to be there as much as he could in the summer time." 
(Colony Records, Vol. I., p. 292). 



64 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The Colonial Court as a rule did not interfere with the 
disposition of the lands granted. It held in reserve the 
power to adjust any difficulties, and to see that the condi- 
tions on which a township was allowed were kept. 

As has been already observed, the Court was not the 
only party with which the settlers had to deal if they would 
obtain indisputable titles to their estates. While the Eng- 
lish claimed the country by right of discovery, there were 
those who held it by right of ancient hereditary posses- 
sion, and the English were in justice called upon to recog- 
nize this right, and purchase the territory of the native pro- 
prietors. 

This was done by the Sudbury settlers. The first tract 
for the plantation was purchased in 1638 of Karte, the Indian 
proprietor (see Chapter II.), and it has been supposed that 
a deed was given; but this is not essential as evidence of the 
purchase, since in the deed given by Karte for land subse- 
quently bought he acknowledged the sale of the first tract, 
in the statement that it was sold to " George Munnin^s and 
to the rest of the planters of Sudbury." In this first bar- 
gain of real estate it is supposed that Mr. Munnings acted as 
agent for the settlers, and that he, together with Brian Pen- 
dleton, advanced the money for payment. 

The second tract was also purchased of Karte, who gave a 
deed, of which the following is a true copy : — 

INDIAN DEED. 

Bee it known vnto all men by these presents that I Cato otherwise 
Goodman for & in consideration of fyve pounds w ch I have received in 
commodities & wompumpeage of Walter Hayne & Hugh Griffin of Sud- 
bury in behalf of themselves & the rest of the planters of Sudbury; doe 
this my write in give & grant bargain & sell vnto the said Walter Hayne 
— (Haine) — & Hugh Griffin & the said planters of the town of Sudbury 
so much land southward & so much land westward next adjoining to a 
tract of land w ch I said Cato formerly souled vnto George Munnings & 
the rest of the planters of Sudbury as may make the bounds of the said 
town to be full fyve miles square w th all meadows, brooks, liberties privi- 
ledges l\: appertenances thereto belonging w th all the said tract of land 
granted. And I grant vnto them for me & mine heirs & brethren that I 
& they shall & will at any tyme make any further assurance in writing 
for the more p'fct assuring of the s'd land & all the premises w th the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 65 

appertenances vnto the s'd Walter Haine & Hugh Griffin & the s d plant- 
ers & their succssors forever as they shall require. 

In witness whereof I herevnto put my hand & seal the twentieth day 
of the fourth month one thousand six hundred forty eight. 

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of 

Emmanuel Downing 

Ephraim Child 

Cutchamckin [mark] ) , ., , ~ . 

L J > brothers of Cato 

Jojenny [mark] ) 

This deed was sealed & acknowledged by the s d Cato (who truly under- 
stood the contents of it the day & year above written) Before mee. 

John Winthrop, Governor. 

Registry of Deeds 

Suffolk Co. Mass. 

The deed for the land last granted, or the two-mile tract 
to the westward, is on record at the Middlesex Registry of 
Deeds, Cambridge, of which the following is a true copy : 

For as much as the Gen 1 Court of the Massachusetts Colony in New 
England hath formerly granted to the Towne of Sudbury in the County 
of Middlesex in the same Colony, an addition of land of two miles west- 
ward of their former grant of five miles, which is also layd out & joyneth 
to it: and whereas the English occupiers, proprietors and possessors 
thereof have chosen Capt. Edmond Goodenow, Leif Josiah Haynes, 
John Goodenow, John Brigham & Joseph Freeman to be a comittee for 
themselvs & for all the rest of the English proprietors thereof, giving 
them their full power to treat with & to purchase the same of the Indian 
proprietors of the s d tract of land & to satisfy & pay them for their 
native, ancient & hereditary right title & intrest thereunto. 

Know all People by these presents — That wee, Jehojakim, John 
Magus, John Muskqua & his two daughters Esther & Rachel, Benjamen 
Bohue, John Speen & Sarah his wife, James Speen, Dorothy Wennetoo, & 
Humphry Bohue her son, Mary Neppamun, Abigail the daughter of Josiah 
Harding, Peter Jethro, Peter Muskquamogh, Jo'hn Boman, David Man- 
noan & Betty who are the ancient native & hereditary Indian proprietors 
of the afores d two miles of land (for & in consideration of the just & full 
sum of twelve pounds of current mony of New England to them in hand 
well & truly paid at or before the ensealing & delivery hereof by the said 
Cap' Edmond Goodenow, Leift. Josiah Haines, John Goodenow, John 
Brigham & Joseph Freeman in behalfe of themselvs & of the rest of the 
English possessors, occupiers, proprietors & fellow-purchasers) the receipt 
whereof they do hereby acknowledge & therwith to be fully satisfied, 
contented & paid & thereof and of every part & parcell thereof they do 



66 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

hereby for themselvs & their heyrs Executors Administrators &: assigns 
clearly fully & absolutely release, acquitt exonerate & discharge them & 
all the English possessors, occupiers, proprietors & fellow-purchasers of 
the same & all & every one of their heyrs Executors, Administrators, 
Assigns & successors forever) Have given, granted, bargained, sold, 
aliened, enseossed, made over & confirmed, & by these presents, do give, 
grant, bargain, sell, alien, enseosse, make over, confirme & deliver all that 
their s d tract & parcells of lands of two miles (bee it more or less scitu- 
ate lying & being) altogether in one entire parcell in the s d Town of Sud- 
bury in the County of Middlesex afores d & lyeth al along throughout on 
the westerne side of the old five miles of the s d Towne & adjoyneth 
thereunto (together with the farme lands of the heyrs of William Browne 
that lyeth within the same tract, unto the s d Capt. Edmond Goodenow, 
Leif 1 Josiah Haines, John Goodenow, John Brigham & Joseph Freeman 
& unto all & every one of the rest of the English possessors, occupiers, 
proprietors & fellow-purchasers thereof as the same is limited, butted & 
bounded on the East by the old part of the s d Towne of Sudbury (which 
was the five miles at first granted to the s d Towne) & is butted & bounded 
northerly by the line or bounds of the Towne of Concord, Westerly by 
the line or bounds of the Towne of Stow & is bounded southerly & partly 
westerly by the lands of M r Thomas Danforth. All the lands within 
said bounds of hills, vallies planes, intervalls, meadows, swamps, with 
all the timber, trees, woods, underwoods, grass & herbage, rocks, stones, 
mines, mineralls, with all rivers, rivoletts brooks, streams, springs, ponds 
& all manner of watercourses & whatsoever is therein & thereupon, above 
ground & underground, with all rights members, titles, royaltyes, liber- 
tyes priviledges, proprietyes, uses, proffitts & commodityes thereof & 
every part & parcell thereof & that is every way & in any wise thereunto 
belonging and appertaining. To Have, Hold, use, occupie, pos- 
sess enjoy to the only absolute propper use benefitt, behoofe and dis- 
pose of them the s' 1 English possessors, occupiers proprietors & fellow- 
purchasers of the Towne of Sudbury & their heyrs executors, adminis- 
trators assigns & successors in a free full & perfect estate of inheritance 
from the day of the date hereof & so for ever. And the above named 
indian Grantors do also hereby covenant promise & grant to & with the 
above named Edmond Goodenow, Josiah Haynes, John Goodnow John 
Brigham & Joseph Freeman & with all the rest of the English possessors, 
occupiers, proprietors & fellow-purchasers of the said two miles of land 
(bee it more or less) as above bounded that at the ensealing & delivery 
hereof, they are the only & absolute Indian proprietors of the premises 
& that they (& none else) have just and full power in themselvs the same 
thus to sell, convey confirme make over & deliver & they do hereby 
engage & bind themselvs & their heyrs executors administrators & 
assigns from time to time & at all times hereafter fully & sufficiently to 
secure save harmless & forever defend the hereby granted & bargained 
two miles of land (as is above bounded bee it more or less) with all the 
rights, members & appurtenances there unto belonging, against all man- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 67 

ner & singular other titles troubles charges demands & incumbrances 
that may be made or raysed by any person or persons (especially Indian 
or Indians) else whatsoever lawfully having or claiming any right, title or 
intrest in or to the premises or to any part or parcell thereof to the trou- 
ble vexation charges interruption or ejection of the above sd English pos- 
sessors, occupiers, proprietors or fellow-purchasers of the same or any 
one of them, they or any one of their heyrs executors administrators or 
assigns in his or their quiet and peaceable possession free & full use 
enjoyment or dispose thereof or any part or parcell thereof forever. 
Furthermore wee the above named Indian Grantors do hereby 
oblige & engage ourselvs all and every one of our heyrs executors 
Adm rs assigns & successors unto the s d English possessors occupiers & 
proprietors & fellow-purchasers & to all and every one of their heyrs 
executors administraters and assigns that wee and every one of us & 
ours as afores d shall & will from time to time & at all times readily & 
effectually do (at our own propper costs & charges) or cause to be so 
done any other or further act or acts thing or things that the law doth 
or may require for more sure making & full confirming of all & singu- 
lar the hereby granted premises unto the s d Edmond Goodenow, Josiah 
Haines, John Goodenow, John Brigham & Joseph Freeman & unto all 
& every one of the rest of the English possessors, occupiers proprietors 
and fellow-purchasers of the premises & unto all & every one of their 
heyrs executors administrators a»nd assigns for ever. In Witness 
whereof the above named Indian Grantors have hereunto each for them" 
selvs & altogether sett their hands and seals, dated the 11 th day of July 
in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred eighty & four. 
Annoqe Regni Regis Caroli Secundi XXXVI. 

Jehojakim his mark X for himselfe & by order of & for John 

Boman & seale. O 
John Magos for himselfe & by order of & for Jacob Magos his 

father & seale. O 
Muskqua John & for his two daughters Rachel & Esther 

& seale. O 

John Speen his marke | & for & by order of Sarah his wife 

& seale. O 

Abigail Daughter of Josiah Harding and his sole heyr ([x her 

marke & seale. O 
Sarah C her marke who is the widdow of Josiah Harding & 

mother of s d Abigail & her Guardian. 
Peter Muskquamog -\- his mark & seale. O 
Benjamen Bohew his R marke & seale. O 
Dorithy Wenneto her O marke & seale. O 
Mary Nepamun he Q marke & seale. O 

Betty her ) marke & seale 
Peter Jethro & a seale 
John X Boman his marke & seale 
James Speen & seale 



68 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Cambe 15 Octo b 1G84 All the persons that have signed & sealed this 
instrument appeared before me this day & year above written & freely 
acknowledged this writing to be their act & deed 

Daniel Gookin Sen r Assist. 

Endorsement — All the Grantors of the instrument within written 
beginning with Jehojakim & ending with Peter Muskquamog did sign 
scale & deliver s d instrument in presence of us. 

John Greene — James Bernard — 

Moreover wee underwritten did see Benjamen Bohew Dorothy Wan- 
neto & Mary & Betty Nepamun signe seale & deliver this instrument 
the 15 th day of Octo b 1684. Andrew Pittamee ^[ his marke 

James Rumny marke 
Samuel Goff, James Barnard 
Daniel Sacowambatt 

Feb r 1, 1684 Memorandum — Wee whose names are underwritten 
did see Peter Jethro signe & seale & deliver y e within written instrument 
James Barnard — Stephen m Gates his marke 

Peter Jethro, Indian, appeared before me the fifth day of February — 
1684 & freely acknowledged this writing within to be his act & deed & 
ythe put his hand & seale thereunto. Daniel Gookin Sen r Affift 

John Boman did signe seale & deliver the within written deed the 23 : 
of February in the year our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty & 
four in presence of us 

John Balcom — -\- Samuel Freeman his marke. 

James Speen & John Bowman appeared before me in court at Natick 
& acknowledged they have signed & sealed this instrument among others 
May 13 th 1684. James Gookin Sen r Affist 

Roxbury April 16. 85. 

Charles Josias, Sachem of the Massachusetts, having read & consid- 
ered the within written deed with the consent of his Guardians & Coun- 
cellors underwritten doth for himself & his heyrs allow of, ratify & 
confirm the within written sale to the Inhabitants of Sudbury & their 
heyrs for ever, the lands therein bargained & sold. To have & to hold 
to the s'd Inhabitanls of Sudbury their heyrs and assigns for ever & hath 
hereunto set his hand & seale the day above written. 

Charls a Josias his marke & Seale 
Allowed by us \ 

J. 

William W. Ahowton 

Recorded 19. 3. 1685 

by Tho. Danforth Recorder. 

A true copy of record Book 9 Pages 344 to 352 inclusive 

Attest Cha 3 B Stevens Ree. 



William Stoughton > Guardians to f 

Joseph Dudley ) y e Sachem \ Robert 8 Montague 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 69 

The above deed was not received until years after the 
grant was made by the Court, and the lands divided up and 
apportioned to the inhabitants. The records do not state 
what occasioned the long delay, but, as was the case else- 
where, perhaps the papers were not passed until, in process 
of time, the settlers questioned whether the claim to the ter- 
ritory was valid until purchased of the Indian proprietors. 
A similar instance occurred at Groton, where the deed came 
long after the lands were occupied. The grant was allowed 
by the Court as early as 1655, but no title was obtained from 
the natives till about 1683 or 1684. 

From lands thus allowed, the Plantation of Sudbury was 
formed. It required, however, more than the allowance and 
laying out of the land and the settlement of it to make it a 
town. A separate act of incorporation was necessary to com- 
plete the work. This was done September 4, 1639, when the 
Court ordered that " the newe Plantation by Concord shall 
be called Sudbury." (Colony Records, Vol. I., p. 271.) 

By the granting of the name, the act of incorporation is 
supposed to have been made complete. It was a short process 
for an act so great, yet such was the manner of the Court. 
Says Mr. Sewall, in the history of Woburn, of the incorpo- 
ration of that place, tl The act of Court for this purpose is 
contained in these five words : ' Charlestown Village is called 
Wooborne.' ' The Court action in this matter was dated 
Sept. 4, 1639 ; but it does not follow that this specific day of 
the month was the exact date of incorporation, as sometimes 
the date of the beginning of the Court session was given, 
instead of the date of the particular day when the transac- 
tion took place. As, for example, we find the permit for a 
division of land to be of the same date as that on which 
Sudbury was named. 

The name ordered by the Court is that of an old English 
town in the county of Suffolk, from which some of the town's 
settlers are supposed to have come, or with which they may 
have had an acquaintance. It is situated near the parish of 
Bury St. Edmunds, at or near which place it is supposed the 
Browns may have dwelt. (See chap. Biographical Sketches.) 
It is not improbable that the name was given by Rev. Edmund 



70 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Brown, the first minister of Sudbury, who sold lands in the 
district of Lanham to Thomas Read, his nephew, and it is 
supposed may have also named that locality from Lavenham, 
Eng., a place between Sudbury and Bury St. Edmunds. (See 
sketch of Thomas Read. ) The place, though spelled Laven- 
ham, is pronounced Lannam in England (Waters). The 
proximity of Sudbury and Lavenham, Eng., to what was 
probably the original home of Mr. Brown, together with the 
fact that he was an early owner of the lands at Lanham, and 
a prominent man at the settlement, affords at least a strong 
presumption that Mr. Edmund Brown named both Sudbury 
and Lanham. It is appropriate, then, to give a sketch of this 
old English town, and we present the following from Lewis's 
Topographical Dictionary of England: — 

" Sudbury is a borough and market town, having separate 
jurisdiction locally in the hundred of Babergh, County of 
Suffolk, 22 miles (why s) from Ipswich, and 50 (N. E. by N.) 
from London, containing, according to the last census, 3950 
inhabitants, which number lias since increased to nearly 5000. 
This place, which was originally called South Burgh, is of 
great antiquity, and at the period of the compilation of 
Domesday-book was of considerable importance, having a 
market and a mint. A colony of the Flemings, who were 
introduced into this country by Edward III. for the purpose 
of establishing the manufacture of woollen cloth, settled 
here, and that branch of trade continued to flourish for some 
time, but at length fell to decay. The town is situated on 
the river Stour, which is crossed by a bridge leading into 
Essex. For some years after its loss of the woollen trade it 
possessed tew attractions, the houses belonging principally to 
decayed manufacturers, and the streets being very dirty ; it 
has however within the last few years been greatly improved, 
having been paved and lighted in 1825, under an act obtained 
for the purpose, and some good houses built. The town hall 
recently erected by the corporation, in the Grecian style of 
architecture, is a greal ornament to the town, in which is also 
a neat theatre. The trade principally consists in the manu- 
facture of silk crape, and buntings used for ships' flags ; that 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 71 

of silk was introduced by the manufacturers from Spitalfields 
in consequence of disputes with their workmen, and now 
affords employment to a great number of persons, about one 
thousand five hundred being engaged in the silk and four 
hundred in the crape and the bunting business. The river 
Stour, navigable hence to the Manning tree, affords a facility 
for the transmission of coal, chalk, lime and agricultural 
produce. The statute market is on Saturday, and the corn 
market on Thursday. Fairs are held on the 12th of March 
and 10th of July, principally for earthen ware, glass and toys. 
The first charter of incorporation was granted by Queen 
Mary in 1554, and confirmed by Elizabeth in 1559. Another 
was given by Oliver Cromwell, but that under which the cor- 
poration derives its power was bestowed by Charles II. Sud- 
bury comprises the parishes of All Saints, St. Gregory, and 
St. Peter, in the archdeaconry of Sudbury, and diocese of 
Norwich. The living of All Saints is a discharged vicarage, 
rated in the king's books at £4.11.5£ endowed, £400 royal 
bounty, and £1^00 parliamentary grant." 

" Quaint old town of toil and traffic, 
Quaint old town of art and song, 
Memories haunt thy pointed gables, 
Like the rooks that round them throng." 

From this description we learn that it is a stanch old town 
from which Sudbury probably received its name ; a place 
busy and of good repute. The word has been variously 
spelled, as: Sudberry, Soodberie, Sudwrowe, Sudborrough, 
Sudborow or, as it is called in Doomsday book, Sutburge. 

The boundaries of the town received early attention from 
the settlers, and at different dates there are records concern- 
ing it. As already stated, the southern boundary line at the 
first was from a point a little east of Nobscot, to the northern 
point of Dudley Pond ; thence, direct to Weston. That 
part of the line outside the present territory of Wayland has 
never varied much in its general character. Some slight 
changes have been made within about fifty years, by which 
a few acres have been taken from Sudbury and annexed to 
Framingham ; this was the case along the line by the Brown 



72 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

farm and the northerly slope of Nobscot. Before the altera- 
tion the line was slightly irregular, and the design may have 
been solely to straighten it. Concerning the boundary in the 
easterly part of the town's original territory, we have tin- 
following order of the General Court, dated June 6, 1701: — 

"Ordered that the line between Sudbury and the farms 
annexed to Frarningham, as set forth in the plat exhibited 
under the hand of John Core, be and continue the boundary 
line between the said farms and Sudbury forever, viz.: from 
the northerly end of Cochittwat pond to the bent of the river. 
by Daniel Stone's and so as the line goes to Frarningham and 
Sudbury line." 

Concerning the Sudbury and Watertown boundary, the fol- 
lowing facts are recorded : ' w In 164!» persons were appointed 
by the town to search the records for the grant of Water- 
town, and to see if they can find any means to prevent 
Watertown from coining so near." The Colony Records 
state that a year later the Court ordered that the inhabitants 
of Sudbury should have their bounds recorded, and about 
the same time the town sent a petition to the General Court 
for a commission to layout the boundary between the two 
towns. In 1651 a report was rendered about the boundary, 
which, with slight abridgment, is as follows: — 

"The committee apppinted to lay out the Watertown 
and Sudbury boundary report that the line drawn by John 
Oliver, three years previous, called 'the old line." shall be 
the line between the two towns, and forever stand. This 
line, beginning at Concord south bound, ran through a great 
pine swamp, a small piece of meadow to upland, and 'then 
to an angle betwixt two hills.' After the line left the afore- 
said angle on its southerly course, it had 'these remarkable 
places therein: one rock called Grout's head, and a stake by 
the cartway leading from Sudbury to Watertown, and so to 
a pine hill being short of a pond about eighty-eight rods, att 
w Inch pine hill Sudbury bounds ends.' " (Colony Records, 
Vol. IV., page 53.) 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 73 

Such was the territory of Sudbury, the manner in which 
the lands were allowed, and the parties from whom they were 
bought. From this plantation was formed the town ; and 
land divisions and allotments were subsequently made, until 
no portion of it was held by proprietary right, nor as public 
domain, but all passed into private estates except the high- 
ways and commons, and here and there a small three-cornered 
nook. 



CHAPTER V. 

Place and Plan of Settlement. — Data of House-lots. — Description of 
Map. — Course of First Street. — Sites of Early Homesteads. — 
Historic Highway. — Time of Settlement. — Dimensions of First 
Dwelling-house. — Early Experiences of the Settlers. 

Ay, call it holy ground, 

The spot where first they trod ! 
They have left unstained what there they found — 

Freedom to worship God. 

Mrs. Hemans. 

The settlement of the town began on the east side of the 
river. The first road or street, beginning at Watertown 
(now Weston), extended along a course of about two miles, 
and by this the house-lots of the settlers were laid out and 
their humble dwellings stood. The plan of the settlement 
can, to an extent, be made out by tradition and the data of 
house-lots which are preserved on the Sudbury records, and 



74 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

which we here give in abbreviated form, the figures in paren- 
theses denoting the acres allowed : — 

DATA OF HOUSE-LOTS. 

Edmond Brown (80), on Timber Neck (east of Mill 
Brook, Wayland). 

John Blanford (3), north by highway to river, south b}' 
Joseph Taynter. 

Jos. Taynter (4), between John Blanford and Tho. Whyte. 

Tho. Whyte (4), between Hugh Griffin and Jos. Taynter. 

Hugh Griffin (4), north by Tho. Whyte, south by John 
Howe. 

John Howe (4), north by Hugh Griffin, south by Edmund 
Rice; (also one acre parted from his house-lot by highway 
between Edmund Rice and Hugh Griffin ; also four on Pine 
Plain, on road from Sudbury to Watertown, west by Mrs. 
Hunt). 

Edmund Rice (4), between John Howe and Henry Rice. 

Henry Rice (4), between Edmund Rice and John Maynard. 

John Maynard (4), between Henry Rice and highway. 

Robert Daniel (8), northwest by John Maynard and Robert 
Boardman (or Fordum). 

Robert Boardman (4), between Robert Daniel and Robert 
Best. 

Robert Best (4), north by Mr. Boardman, south by John 
Loker. 

John Loker (4), between Robert Best and Tho. Flinn 
(or Joslyn), [also (one acre) parted from his house-lot by 
the highway.] 

Tho. Flinn (4), between John Loker and John Havnes. 

John Hay nes (4), north by Tho. Flinn, south by Edmund 
Goodnow. 

Edmund Goodnow (4), north by John Haynes, west by 
River Meadows. 

Win. Brown (4), north by Edmund Goodnow, south by 
John Toll. 

John Toll (4), between Edmund Goodnow and Widow 
Wright. 

Widow Wright (6), between John Toll and John Bent. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 75 

John Bent (6), between Widow Wright and John Wood. 

John Wood (4), between John Bent and Widow Hunt. 

Widow Hunt (4), between John Wood and John Good- 
now. 

John Goodnow (5), north by Widow Hunt, south by Henry 
Loker, east end on highway going to mill, and west by the 
great River Meadows. 

Henry Loker (4), between John Goodnow and John Par- 
m enter, Sr. 

John Parmenter, Sr. (4), between Henry Loker and the 
highway to Bridle Point. 

ON NORTHWEST ROW. 

John Freeman (4), on northwest corner of highway leading 
to River Meadows. 

Solomon Johnson (6), east by Wm. Ward. 

Wm. Ward (20), on northeast side of Northwest Row. 

Solomon Johnson (7), between Wm. Ward and Wm. 
Pelham. 

Wm. Pelham (50), northeast part, near Wm. Ward. 

ON THE NORTH STREET OR EAST STREET. 

John Rutter (4), (near clay pits). 

John Ruddick (4). 

Henry Curtis ( — ). 

John Stone (9), between Henry Curtis and Nathl. Tread- 
way. 

Nathl. Tread way ( — ), on East Street, between John Stone 
and John Knight. 

John Knight (12). 

ON EAST STREET. 

Bryan Pendleton (5), north by Tho. Noyes south by Pond 
Brook that runs to the river. 

Tho. Noyes (4), south by Bryan Pendleton, north by Geo. 
Munning. 

Geo. Munning (4), between Tho. Noyes and Walter Hayne. 

Walter Hayne (6), south by Geo. Munning, north by high- 
way to Common Swamp. • 



It! HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



ON BRIDLE POINT HIGHWAY. 



Tho. Brown (4), north by highway leading to Bridle Point, 
cast by the Common, south end running to Mil] Brook, west 
by Anthony White. 

Anthony Whyte (4), north by Bridle Point Road, south 
by Mill Brook. Between Tho. Brown and Wm. Parker. 
' Wm. Parker (— ). 

Peter Noyes (8), north by Bridle Point Road, south by 
Mill Brook. Between Win. Parker and Thomas Goodnow. 

Tho. Goodnow (5), north by Bridle Point Road, south by 
Mill Brook. Between A. Belcher and P. Noyes. He sold 
to P. Noyes, making Noyes' lot thirteen acres. 

Andrew Belcher (4), north by Bridle Point Road, south 
by Mill Brook. Between Tho. Goodnow and Richd. Newton. 

Billiard Newton (4), north by Bridle Point Road, south 
by Mill Brook. Between A. Belcher and John Parmenter, Jr. 

John Parmenter, Jr. (4). Between Richd. Newton and 
Henry Prentiss. 

Henry Prentiss (4). Between John Parmenter, Jr., and 
Herbert Pelham. 

ON MILL ROAD FROM PINE PLAIN. 

William Kerley (4), on southwest side of "Pine Swamp," 
on highway leading to mill, northwest of Richd. Sanger. 
Richd. Sanger (4), northwest by Wm. Kerley. 

ON ROAD TO COTCHITUATT. 

Tho. Goodnow [also on Cotchituatt Road]. Probably the 
present Pousland lot. 

ON PINE PLAIN. 

John Howe. Also four acres on Pine Plain, north side of 
road from Sudbury to Watertown, west by land of Mrs. Hunt. 

Mrs. Hunt, or Widow Hunt. She probably sold her lot on 
"The Street,'" and took a lot here. 

John How. Probably sold his lot on "The Street'" to 
either Griffin or Rice, and took a lot on The Plain. 

I bury Loker (4). Between John Goodnow and J. Par- 
menter, Sr. 



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now discontinued for public travel . 




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HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 77 

John Parmenter, Sr. (4). Between Henry Loker and 
Bridle Point Road. 

John Goodnow (5). North by Widow Hunt and south 
by Henry Loker. The east end on the mill road, and the 
west end on the great river meadows. 

Thomas Hoyt. His house-lot containing four acres, having 
the house-lot of Brian Pendleton on the south side, and the 
house-lot of George Munnings on the north side. 

The map that accompanies the data of house-lots was 
made by James Sumner Draper of Wayland, as the result 
of the united investigation of himself and the writer. Mr. 
Draper has a life-long familiarity with the locality, is a prac- 
tical surveyor, and acquainted with the traditions and old 
roads of this ancient part of Sudbury. It is not absolutely 
certain that every one to whom a lot was assigned ever 
became a householder in the settlement; furthermore, it may 
be that an exchange was, in some cases, made before the 
settlers began to build. With, however, a suitable allow- 
ance for possible or probable changes, and making such slight 
departures in certain cases from the data as was thought war- 
ranted by the circumstances, the locality, and tradition, we 
believe this map to be a fair representation of the locations 
of most, if not all, of the first homesteads in Sudbury. 

We will now consider the plan of the settlement, and trace 
the course of the street. The settlement lay along three 
roads, which afterwards became the common highway. The 
principal one of these roads, called "the North" or "East 
Street," and also the " Old Watertown Trail," started at 
what is now " Weston and Wayland Corner," and probably 
followed the course of the present road over "The Plain" 
and Clay-pit Hill to a point near the Abel Gleason estate ; 
from this place it is supposed to have made its way a little 
northerly of Mr. Gleason's house, and winding southwesterly 
passed just south of Baldwin's Pond, and thence to the river 
at the bridge. The road originally called "Northwest ilow" 
ran from this street to what is still called " Common Swamp," 
and by the spot designated as the house-lot of Walter Haynes. 
This spot still bears the traces of having, long years ago, been 



78 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the site of a house. The cart-path which ran from it to the 
meadow is still used. 

• Along this road traces and traditions of homesteads are 
unmistakable : old building material has been unearthed, 
and depressions in the ground are still to be seen. Mr. 
Draper, a little east of his house, by the brook, unearthed 
the stones of a fire-place, with fragments of coals still upon 
them. Between this and Clay-pit Bridge (the second bridge 
or culvert from the mill-pond, or the first above " Whale's 
Bridge") there are, north of the road, several depressions 
indicating the sites of old houses. Just beyond Clay-pit 
Bridge, the writer, with Mr. Draper, went to look for traces 
of houses on the lots assigned to Bryan Pendleton and 
Thomas Noyes ; and there, in the exact locality, were dis- 
tinct depressions, just where they were looked for. The 
Curtis homestead, until within a very few years, was stand- 
ing in about the place assigned for the house-lot. Thus 
strong is the probability that the lots on this street were 
largely built upon. 

Another of the principal streets was that which, starting 
from a point on the north street near the town bridge, ran 
easterly along what is now the common highway, to the 
head of the mill-pond, and then to the mill. Upon this 
street was the first meeting-house, at a spot in the old 
burying-ground (see chapter on First Meeting-house, &c), 
and the Parmenter Tavern. The house-lots were mainly at 
the west end of this street, and the road was probably 
extended northeasterly to give access to the mill. Here, 
again, tradition confirms the record of house-lots, and shows 
that the lots were more or less built upon. The John May- 
nard and John* Loker estates were kept for years in their 
families, and the Parmenter estate is still retained in the 
family. In later years the descendants of John Butter built 
on that street. 

The third road was called the "Bridle Point Road." This 
started near the Parmenter Tavern, crossed the knoll at the 
Harry Reeves place, and ran along the ridge of "Braman's 
Hill *' for about two-thirds of its length, when it turned 
southerly, and, crossing Mill Brook, ran towards the town's 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 79 

southern limits. While tradition positively locates this road, 
it points to but one homestead upon it, and that the resi- 
dence of Rev. Edmund Brown, which it undoubtedly declares 
was at the spot designated by the house-lot data. Along 
this street are no visible marks of ancient dwelling-places 
north of Mill Brook ; but beyond, various depressions in the 
ground, and remnants of building material, indicate that at 
one time this street had houses upon it. With the excep- 
tion of those on the south street, the dwellings were about 
equally distant from the meeting-house, and all within 
easy access to the River Meadows and the mill. Proba- 
bly they settled largely in groups, that they might more 
easily defend themselves in case of danger. They were in a 
new country, and as yet had had little experience with the 
Indians ; hence we should not expect they would scatter 
very widely. In the early times so essential was it consid- 
ered by the Colonial Court that the people should not widely 
scatter, that, three years before Sudbury was settled, it 
ordered, that, for the greater safety of towns, " hereafter no 
dwelling-house should be built above half a mile from the 
meeting-house in any new plantation." (Colony Records, 
Vol I.) 

It will be noticed that the positions selected for these 
streets were, to an extent, where the shelter of upland could 
be obtained for the house. The sandy slope of Bridle Point 
Hill would afford a protection from the rough winds of 
winter; so of the uplands just north of South Street. It 
was also best to settle in groups, to lessen the amount of 
road-breaking in winter. It will also be noticed that these 
groups of house-lots were near, not only meadow land, but 
light upland, which would be easy of cultivation. Various 
things indicate that the most serviceable spots were selected 
for homesteads, that roads were constructed to connect them 
as best they could, and that afterwards the roads were ex- 
tended to the mill. Probably the people on North Street 
made the short way to South Street, that now comes out at 
Mr. Jude Damon's, in order to shorten the way to church. 
Those midway of that street, for a short cut to the mill, the 
church and the tavern, would naturally open a path from the 



80 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

turn of the road by the clay-pita to the mill. To accommo- 
date the people on "The Plain," a road was opened to the 
mill in a southwesterly course, which is in part the present 
highway, hut has in part been abandoned, — the latter part 
being that which formerly came out directly east of the 
mill. 

These several sections of road probably formed what was 
called the " Highway." A large share of it is in use at the 
present time, and is very suggestive of historic reminiscences. 
By it the settlers went to the Cakebread Mill, to the little 
hillside meeting-house, and to the John Parmenter Ordinary. 
By these ways came the messenger with fresh news from the 
seaboard settlements, or with tidings from the tribes of the 
woods. In short, these formed the one great road of the 
settlement; the one forest pathway along which everyone 
more or less trod. 

The erection of dwelling-places along these first streets 
probably began in 1638 ; but we have no tradition or record 
of the week or month when the inhabitants arrived at the 
spot, nor as to how many went at any one time. They may 
have gone in small companies at different dates ; and the 
entire removal from Watertown may have occurred in the 
process of months. It is quite probable, however, that they 
went mainly together, or in considerable companies, both for 
the sake of convenience and safety; and that they were 
largely there by the autumn of 1638. On the arrival of the 
"Confidence," the emigrants would naturally be eager to 
settle somewhere at once. They would hardly wait long in 
Watertown, if their design was to make their homes farther 
west. The cold winter being just ahead, they would pre- 
sumably hasten to the proposed place of settlement, to pre- 
pare things for their comfort before cold weather fairly 
set in. 

We have found no record of the dimensions of any of the 
first dwelling-places, but we may judge something of their 
size by that of the first house of worship, and by the specifi- 
cations in a lease of a house to be built by Edmund Pice 
prior to the year 1655. Tliis house was to be very small, — 
"30 foot long, 10 foot high, 1 foot sill from the ground, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 81 

16 foot wide, with two rooms, both below or one above the 
other, all the doors, walls and staires with convenient fix- 
tures, and well planked under foot and boored sufficiently to 
lay corn in the story above head." But it is doubtful if this 
small, low structure fitly represents the settlers' first forest 
home ; very likely that was a still more simple building, that 
would serve as a mere shelter for a few months or years, till 
a more serviceable one could be built. Houses of ordinary 
capacity would hardly be necessary when the settlement 
commenced. The furniture of the dwelling would for a 
time, probably, be simple and scant, and consist mainly of a 
few household utensils, their firearms, and tools. 

The way from Watertown being at first only a forest trail, 
it was a difficult task to transport many goods, even if they 
were brought to this country. That carts were made use of 
the first year for transportation to Watertown is doubtful, 
although they were used a few years later. In 1641 it was 
ordered, " That every cart with four sufficient oxen and a 
man shall have for a day's work five shillings ; " and that 
" none shall take above six pence a bushel for the bringing 
up of corn from Watertown to Sudbury and twenty shillings 
a day for any other goods." (Town Records, p. 17.) The 
transportation of corn may have been on horseback. 

What the settlers experienced in the rough cabins of 
logs, the first }^ears, we can only conjecture. The deep 
snow-fall of winter, as it covered their lonely forest path, 
presented a strong contrast to the mild climate from which 
they came. But they had enough to employ their time. 
There were cattle to care for, and lands to clear and make 
ready for the coming spring ; and it was no small task to keep 
the household supplied with wood. The wide-mouthed fire- 
place, with hearth broadening to almost midway of the cabin 
itself, with its huge andirons, beyond which was the stout 
back-log, had the capacity of a dozen stoves ; and to supply 
this was a matter of work. But the routine of work was 
broken by experiences both sad and glad. In the first 
year or two there were the birth, bridal, and burial. On 
the 1st of October, 1639, "-Andrew Belcher and his wife 
were married." "On ye first day of ye first month (March 



82 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

1), 1640, Edward the servant of Robert Darnill was buried." 
A year after, Joseph Rice was born. " On the third day of 
the twelvth month, 1639, Joseph and Nathaniel the sons of 
Solomon Johnson were born." In November, 1644, John 
Rutter married Elizabeth Plimpton. The first body buried 
was probably borne to the northerly side of the old meeting- 
house hill, where tradition says the Indians had a burying- 
ground. Here, doubtless, was buried the servant of Robert 
Darnill, who was the first, or one of the first, in that long- 
procession which, for nearly two centuries and a half, has 
been borne to the ancient burying-place upon or about that 
hill. Beside these experiences, there were others that would 
tend to break up the monotony of the settlers* experience, 
such as "log-rollings," when the neighbors collected together 
and helped clear the land of logs and brush ; " house-rais- 
ings," where many joined hands to help raise the heavy 
frames; " road-breaking," when, with ox-teams, they cleared 
the snow from the path; corn-planting in the common fields. 
or "huskings," when the corn was gathered, — these, with 
town -meetings, and an occasional drill of the train -band, 
when Bryan Pendleton exercised his little host, would serve 
to break up the monotony and enliven the scene at the set- 
tlement. Thus, — 

Toiling, rejoicing, sorrowing, 

Onward through life he goes ; 
Each morning sees some task begun, 

Each evening sees it close ; 
Something attempted, something done, 

Has earned a night's repose. 

Longfellow. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Town Meetings. — Their Origin and Character. — Conditions of Citizen- 
ship. — Freemen. — Place of Town Meeting. — Town Officers. — 
Highways. — Bridges. — " Indian Bridge." — The " Old Town 
Bridge." — Contracts with Ambrose Leach and Timothy Hawkins. — 
Causeway. — Formation of Church. — Settlement of First Minister. — 
Erection of First Meeting- House. — Contract with John Rutter. — 
Building of Grist-Mill. 

But the good deed, through the ages 
Living in historic pages, 
Brighter grows and gleams immortal, 
Unconsumed by moth or rust. 

Longfellow. 

The first steps in the settlement of the town having been 
considered, — namely, the acquisition of the territory, the 
assignment of house-lots, and laying out of the principal 
highways, — we will now notice further projects for the gen- 
eral good. The people acted first in town-meeting ; hence it 
may here be appropriate to consider the origin and character 
of these occasions, and the manner in which they were con- 
ducted. The New England town-meeting is an institution 
that originated in the exigencies of New England colonial 
life, and sprang into existence at the call of men who op- 
posed the concentration of political power, and who would 
confer it on no person or persons, only as it was conferred 
on them by the people's choice. Situated far remote from 
the home government in Europe, too much time was con- 
sumed in the transmission of laws, and too little acquaint- 
ance was had by the English government with the needs of 
American life, to make it practicable to rely on such a source 
of authority. 

Something was needed to meet an independent and extem- 

83 



84 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

porized order of things; and the result was a New England 
town-meeting, which is unlike any other political assembly. 
In the principle of its operation it is similar and modelle/i 
after the New England Congregational Church meeting. 
The same general freeness and equality to an extent pre- 
vailed, and by these meetings each town became like a little 
republic. Whatever offices were needed were made, and 
the men selected to fill them had a fitness based on personal 
merit. There were no credentials for position that came 
from a titled authority, or from ancient hereditary right 
.based on manorial acquisition or influence. Before planta- 
tions became incorporated towns, and while undivided lands 
still remained which were held by proprietary or collective 
right, there were certain privileges possessed by these pro- 
prietors or land companies, which related to their real 
estate,' such as the right to dispose of and improve their 
lands, or to enjoy exclusive privileges that were based upon 
them. But when all the lands were divided and sold, the 
proprietary dissolved, and left the community purely repub- 
lican, in which each public meeting was an open town- 
meeting, Avhether it pertained to matters of church or state. 
Thus the New England town-meeting was original, and its 
principles of operation were in harmony with the character 
and purposes of the men who had fled from ecclesiastical and 
civil restraint. 

As might be expected, the General Court, which was more 
or less dependent on the action of town-meetings, was in gen- 
eral harmony with them ; and, in its definition of the power 
of towns, gave them the elements of democratic government. 
In 1635 it was "Ordered, that the freemen of any town, or 
the major part of them, shall only have power to dispose of 
their own lands and woods, with all the privileges and appur- 
tenances of said towns, to grant lots and make such orders 
as may concern the well ordering of their own towns, not 
repugnant to the orders of the General Court." They were 
authorized to impose fines, not exceeding twenty shillings, 
and "to choose their own particular officers, as constables, 
surveyors for highways and the like." (Colony Records, 
Vol. I., p. 72.) 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 85 

There were some restrictions that related to citizenship in 
those days that have since been removed. At one period 
only ''freemen" could participate in the shaping of public 
affairs. A "freeman" was a person who, by act of the Gen- 
eral Court, was admitted to the rights and privileges that 
correspond to those now pertaining to American citizenship. 
In early times people did not attain to political privileges, as 
now, by passing from minority and paying a town tax; but to 
attain to full citizenship, with eligibility to office, as late as 
1631, it was necessary to be a member of a church within 
the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Later, in 
16(32, the law was so changed that an Englishman, on pre- 
senting a certificate of good character, and upon giving evi- 
dence of orthodox belief, together with a certificate from a 
town selectman that the party was a freeholder and ratable 
to the county on a single rate to the amount of ten shillings, 
might apply to the General Court for admission as freeman. 
If accepted by the Court, it was on condition that the appli- 
cant take what was termed the "freeman's oath," which is as 
follows : — 

" I, A. B., being by God's providence an inhabitant and 
freeman within the jurisdiction of this commonwealth, do 
freely acknowledge myself to be subject to the government 
thereof, and therefore do swear, by the great and dreadful 
name of the everlasting God, that I will be true and faithful 
to the same, and will accordingly yield assistance and sup- 
port thereunto with my person and estate, as in equity I am 
bound, and also truly endeavor to maintain and preserve all 
the liberties and privileges thereof, submitting myself to the 
wholesome laws and orders made and established by the 
same ; and, further, that I will not plot nor practise any 
evil against it, nor consent to any that shall do so, but will 
timely discover and reveal the same to lawful authority now 
here established, for the speedy prevention thereof; more- 
over, I do solemnly bind myself, in the sight of God, that 
when I shall be called to give ni} r voice touching any such 
matter of this state wherein freemen are to deal, I will give 
my vote and suffrage, as I shall judge in my conscience, may 
best conduce and tend to the public weal of the bodv, with- 



86 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

out respect of persons, or favor of any man. So help me God, 
in the Lord Jesus Christy 

After being thus qualified by the vote of the Court, and 
by taking the above oath, the freeman was allowed to vote 
in the elections in the following manner and under the fol- 
lowing penalty: "It is ordered by this Court, and by the 
authority thereof, that for the yearly choosing of assistants, 
the freemen shall use Indian corn and beans — the Indian 
corn to manifest election, the beans the contrary; and if any 
freeman shall put in more than one Indian corn or bean, for 
the choice or refusal of any public officer, he shall forfeit for 
every such offence ten pounds ; and that any man that is not 
a freeman, or hath not liberty of voting, putting in any vote, 
shall forfeit the like sum of ten pounds/' 

But, though corn and beans were sufficient to elect an 
assistant, for governor, deputy -governor, major-general, 
treasurer, secretary, and commissioners of the united colo- 
nies, it was required that the freemen should make use of 
written ballots. 

The freemen at first were all required to appear before the 
General Court to give their votes for assistants ; but it was 
found inconvenient, and even dangerous, for all of them to 
assemble in one place, leaving their homes unprotected, and 
hence it was ordered, " That it shall be free and lawful for 
all freemen to send their votes for elections by proxy, m the 
next General Court in May, and so for hereafter, which shall 
be done in this manner: The deputy which shall be chosen 
shall cause the freemen of the town to be established, and 
then take such freemen's votes, as please to send them by 
proxv. for any magistrate, and seal them up severally, sub- 
scribing the magistrates name on the back side, and to bring 
them to the Court, sealed, with an open roll of the names of 
the freemen that so send them." 

Until as late as the nineteenth century, the town-meetings 
were held in the meeting-house. After the meeting-house 
was built sometimes they were held in a private house or at 
the "ordinary." As for example, Jan. 10, 1685, and again 
Feb. 18, 168G, there was an adjournment of town-meeting to 
the house of Mr. Walker. " by reason of the extremity of the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 87 

cold." In 1764 the town adjourned one of its meetings to 
the house of " William Rice, irmholder." In 1782, " adjourned 
town-meeting to the house of Mr. Aaron Johnson, innholder 
in s d town." After the division of the town into the east 
and west precincts, the town-meetings alternated from the 
east to the west side. 

In 1682-3 the time of meeting, was changed from February 
to October, the day of the week to be Monday. The reason 
of this change may be found in the fact that it was difficult 
at some seasons to make a journey to the east side meeting- 
house ; the passage of the causeway was occasionally rough, 
and town action might be thereby delayed or obstructed. 
The meeting was for a period warned by the board of select- 
men. At the date of the change just mentioned, it "was 
voted and ordered, that henceforth the selectmen every year 
for the time being shall appoint and seasonably warn the 
town-meeting; " but afterwards this became the work of the 
constables. In the warning of town-meetings at one period, 
the " Old Lancaster Road " was made use of as a partial line 
of division. A part of the constables were to warn the peo- 
ple on the north side of the road, and part those who lived 
south of it. 

The town -meeting was opened by prayer. There is 
a record of this about 1654, and presumably it was prac- 
tised from the very first. At an early date voting was 
sometimes done by "dividing the house," each party with- 
drawing to different sides of the room. An example of this 
is as follows: In 1654, at a public town-meeting, after " the 
pastor by the desire of the town had sought the Lord for 
his blessing in the actings of the day, this following vote 
was made, You that judge the act of the selectmen in sizing 
the Commons to be a righteous act, discover it by drawing 
yourselves together in the one end of the meeting-house." 
After that was done, " It was then desired that those who 
are of a contrary mind would discover it by drawing them- 
selves together in the other end of the meeting-house." 

In what was done at these meetings, marked respect was 
usually had for order and law. We find records of protest 
or dissent when things were done in an irregular way, as for 



88 HISTORY OF SUDBUKY. 

instance, in 1676, we have the following record: "We do 
hereby enter our Decent against the illegal proceeding of the 
inhabitants of the town : : : for the said proceedings 
have Ben Directly Contrary to law. First, That the Town 
Clerk did not Solemnly read the Laws against Intemperance 
and Immorality as the Laws Require." Mention is also 
made of other irregularities, and the whole is followed by a 
list of names of prominent persons. 

The town officers were mostly similar to those elected at 
the present time. At a meeting of the town in 1682-3, it 
was ordered that the town-meeting " shall be for the electing 
of Selectmen, Commissioners, and Town Clerk." Names 
of officers not mentioned here were "Constables, Invoice 
Takers, Highway Surveyors, and Town Marshal." About 
1648 the persons chosen to conduct the affairs of the town 
were first called selectmen. The number of these officers 
varied at different times. In 1616 there were seventeen 
selectmen. 

The service expected of the selectmen, beside being cus- 
todians at large of the public good, and acting as the 
town's prudential committee, were, before the appointment 
of tything-men (which occurred first in Sudbury, Jan. 18, 
1679), expected to look after the morals of the community.^ 
This is indicated by the following order: At a meeting of 
the inhabitants, Jan. 18. 1679, - It is ordered, that the select- 
men shall visit the families of the town, and speedily inspect 
the same, but especially to examine children and servants 
about their improvement in reading and the catechism. 
Captain Goodnow and Lieutenant Haines to inspect all 
families at Lanham and Nobscot and all others about there 
and in their way. . . . and these are to return an account ol 
that matter at the next meeting of the selectmen, appointed 
to be on the 30th of this instant January." We infer from 
certain records that the selectmen's orders were to be audi- 
bly and deliberately read, that the people might take notice 
and observe them. 

The officials known as " highway surveyors " had charge 
of repairs on town roads. This term was early applied, and 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 89 

has continued in use until now. As early in the records as 
1639, Peter Noyes and John Parmenter are mentioned as 
surveyors. 

The business of town clerk, or " dark," first held in Sud- 
bury by Hugh Griffin, is shown by the following extracts 
from the town book : " He is to take charge of the records 
and discharge the duties of a faithful scribe." " To attend 
town-meeting, to write town orders for one year, . . . for 
which he was to have ten shillings for his labor." In 1643 
he was " to take record of all births and marriages and 
[deaths], and return them to the recorder." "It is also 
agreed that the rate of eight pound 9 shillings [be] levied 
upon mens estate for the payment of the town debt due at 
the present, and to buy a constable's staff, to mend the 
stocks, and to buy a marking iron for the town, and it shall 
be forthwith gathered by Hugh Griffin, who is appointed 
by the town to receive rates, and to pay the town's debt," 
(Town Book, p. 75.) Feb. 19, 1650, Hugh Griffin "was 
released from the service of the town." The work that he 
had performed was "to attend town-meetings, to write town 
orders, to compare town rates, to gather them in, and pay 
them according to the towns appointment, and to sweep the 
meeting-house, for which he is to have fifty shillings for his 
wages." 

Other officers were "commissioners of rates," or "invoice- 
takers." These corresponded perhaps to "assessors," which 
term we find used in the town book as early as the beginning 
of the eighteenth century. The office of marshal was the 
same as that of constable. There is the statement on page 34 
" that there shall be a rate gathered of ten pounds for the 
finishing of the meeting-house, to be raised upon meadows 
and improved land, and all manner of cattle above a quarter 
old to be prized as they were formerly prized, the invoice to 
be taken by the marshall." 

At an early period persons were appointed for the special 
purpose of hearing "small causes." In 1655 " Lietenant 
Goodnow, Thomas Noyes, and Sergeant Groute were chosen 
commissioners to hear, issue, and end small causes in Sud- 



90 • HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

bury, according to law, not exceeding forty shillings." In 
1,; ( s Peter Noyeswas"to see people ioyne in marriage in 
Sudbury." (Colonial Records, p. 97.) 

In the early times towns could send deputies to the Gen- 
eral Court according to the number of their inhabitants. 
These that had ten freemen and under twenty, could send 
one : those having between twenty and forty, not over two. 
(Palfrey's History.) 

We infer that if a person was elected to any town office 
he was expected to serve. It is stated in the records of 1730 
that David Rice was chosen constable, and -being called up 
[by] the moderator for to declare his exception, or non- 
exception, upon which David Rice refused for to serve as 
constable, and paid down five pounds money to s d town, and 
so was discharged." 

Having considered the nature of the town-meeting, the 
place where works of a public nature were discussed and 
decided upon, we will now notice some of the works them- 
selves. First, Highways, the Causeway and Bridge. 

HIGHWAYS. 
In providing means for easy and rapid transit, it was impor- 
tant for the town to make haste. Indian trails and the paths 
of wild animals would not long suffice for their practical needs. 
Hay was to be drawn from the meadows, and for this a road 
Avas to be made. Another was to be made to Concord, and 
paths were to be opened to the outlying lands. The first 
highway work was done on the principal street, which was 
doubtless at first but a mere wood path or trail. An early 
rule for this labor, as it is recorded on the Town Records. 
Feb. 20, 1639, is as follows: "Ordered by the commissioners 
of the town, that every inhabitant shall come forth to the 
mending of the highway upon a summons by the surveyors." 
In case Of failure, live shillings were to be forfeited lor every 
default. The amount of labor required was as follows : — 
"1st. The poorest man shall work one day. 
- 2nd. For every six acres of meadow land a man hath he 
shall work one day. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 91 

v 

" 3d. Every man who shall neglect to make all fences 
appertaining to his fields by the 24th of April shall forfeit 
five shillings (Nov. 19th, 1639)." 

Highways and cart-paths were laid out on both sides of 
the meadows at an early date. The town records make men- 
tion of a highway " from below the upland of the meadow 
from the house-lot of Walter Haynes to the meadow of John 
Goodnow, which shall be four rods wide where it is not 
previously bounded already, and from the meadow of John 
Goodnow to the end of the town bound." Also of a high- 
way on the west side of the river, " between the upland and 
the meadow six rods wide from one end of the meadow to 
the other." These roads, we conjecture, have not entirely 
disappeared. On either side the meadow margin a hay -road, 
or " right of way," still exists. It is probable that the town 
way called " Water Row " may have been a part of those 
early roads ; also, that by the margin of Sand Hill, as it ex- 
tends southwesterly towards West Brook, and that by the 
Baldwin place, that starts north of the bridge. An impor- 
tant road laid out in 1648 was that from Watertown to 
the Dunster Farm, or the "Old Connecticut Path." 
(See Chapter I.) The record states, "Edmund Rice and 
Edm d Goodenow, John Bent and John Grout, are appointed 
to lay out a way from Watertown bound to the Dunster 
Farm." Another important road laid out in the first decade 
was that which went to Concord. In 1648 " Edmond Goode- 
now is desired to treat with Concord men, and to agree with 
them about the laying out of the way between Concord and 
Sudbury." The term " laying out," as it was employed at 
that period, might not always imply the opening of a new 
path, but perhaps the acceptance or formal recognition of an 
old one, which hitherto had been only a bridle-way or mere 
forest foot-trail, that had been used as the most available 
track to a town, hamlet, or homestead. Tradition informs 
us that at an early date a way from "The Island" to the east 
side settlement Avas by a fording-place, which was by the 
present " Bridle-Point Bridge ; " and that there was a road 
from "The Island" to Lanham, which passed Heard's Pond 



92 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

on the north, to the right of the present highway, or between 
that and the meadow margin. By this way hay could be 
drawn from the meadow on t lie south of West Brook, and 
the Lanham settlers could pass by it to the Cakebread Mill 
and to the home of their minister on Timber Neck. 

BRIDGES. 

In the work of bridge building Sudbury has had fully its 
share from the first. Its original territory being divided by 
a wide, circuitous stream, which was subject to spring and 
fall floods, it was a matter of no small importance to the set- 
tlers to have a safe crossing. Ford-ways, on a river like this, 
were uncertain means of transit. Without a bridge the east 
and west side inhabitants might be separated sometimes for 
weeks, and travelers to the frontier beyond would be much 
hindered on their way. All this the people well knew, and 
they were early astir to the work. Two bridges are men- 
tioned in the town book as early as 1641. The record of one 
is as follows: "It was ordered from the beginning of the 
plantation, that there should be two rods wide left in the 
meadow from the bridge at M mining's Point to the hard 
upland at the head of Edmund Rice's meadow." The 
other record is of the same date, and states that there, 
was to be a road "between the river meadow and the house- 
lot from the bridge at John Blandford's to Bridle Point." 
The bridge referred to in the former of these records may 
have been the " Old Indian Bridge," which is repeatedly 
mentioned in the town book. From statements on the 
records we conclude it crossed the lower part of Lanham 
Brook — sometimes also called West Brook — at a point 
between Sand Hill and Heard's Pond. This bridge was 
probably found there by the settlers, and may have been 
nothing more than a fallen tree where but one person could 
pass at a time. It doubtless was of little use to the settlers, 
and may only have served them as a landmark or to desig- 
nate a fording-place where at low water a person could pass. 
The bridge referred to in the latter record was probably the 
first one built by the English in Sudbury. It was doubtless 
situated at the locality since occupied by successive bridges, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 93 

each of which was known as the " Old Town Bridge." 
The present one is called the Russell Bridge, after the name 
of the builder. The location is in Wayland at the east end 
of the old causeway, near the house of Mr. William Baldwin. 
The first bridge at this place was probably a simple contriv- 
ance for foot-passengers only, and one which would cause 
little loss if swept away by a flood. The reason why this 
spot was selected as a crossing, may be indicated by the lay 
of the land and the course of the river ; at this point the 
stream winds so near the bank of the hard upland, that a 
causeway on the eastern side is unnecessary. These natural 
features doubtless led to the construction of the bridge at 
that particular spot, and the location of the bridge deter- 
mined the course of the road. About the time of the erec- 
tion of the first bridge a ferry is spoken of. In 1642 Thomas 
Noyes was " appointed to keep a ferry for one year, for 
which he was to have two pence for every single passenger 
and if there be more to take two apiece." This ferry may 
have been used only at times when high water rendered the 
bridge or meadow impassable. As in the price fixed for 
transportation only "passengers" are mentioned, we infer 
that both the bridge and ferry were for foot-passengers 
alone. But a mere foot-path could not long suffice for the 
settlement. The west side was too important to remain 
isolated for want of a cart-bridge. About this time it was 
ordered by the town, " That Mr. Noyes, Mr. Pendleton, 
Walter Haynes, John Parmenter, Jr., and Thomas King 
shall have power to view the river at Thomas King's, and to 
agree with workmen to build a cart-bridge over the river 
according as they shall see just occasion." The following 
contract was soon made with Ambrose Leach : — 

"BRIDGE CONTRACT 1643. 

"It is agreed betweene the inhabitants of the towner of 
sudbury and Ambrose Leech, That the towne will give unto 
the said Ambrose 6 acres in M r Pendleton's 2 nd Addition of 
meadow w ch shall run on the north side of his meadow lyinge 
on the west side of the river & shall run from the river to 
the upland. Allsoe foure acres of meadowe more wch shall 



94 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

be wth convenient as may be. Allsoe twenty acres of upland 
lyinge on the west side of the river on the north side of the 
lande of Walter Haynes if he approve of it else so much 
upland where it may be convenient. For and in considera- 
tion whereof the said Ambrose doth propose to build a suffi- 
cient cart bridge over the river three feet above high water 
mark twelve foot wyde from the one side of the river to the 
other provided that the towne doe fell and cross cutt the tim- 
ber and saw all the plank and carry it all to place and when 
it is ready framed the towne doth promise to help him raise 
it so that he and one man be at the charge of the sayd Am- 
brose and he doth promise to acomplish the work by the last 

day of Aug. next. Allsoe the towne doth admitt of him 

as a townsman wth right to comonage and upland as more 
shall be laid out and allsoe ten acres of meadowe to be laved 
out which other meadowe is in first addition of meadowe. 
"Ambrose Leech Brian Pendleton 

" Walter Haynes." 

This contract is on the original town book without date. 
On the preceding page is a record dated 1642, and beyond is 
one dated 1641, which plainly shows either that events were 
not recorded chronologically, or that the leaves were not 
placed in their original order when the book Avas rebound in 
1840. It may then be safe to conjecture that the date of this 
contract was 1642 or 1643. That Mr. Leach carried out his 
agreement in good faith, is indicated by the privileges that 
were afterwards accorded to him. Repeatedly, on the Pro- 
prietors' book, in the record of their meetings held in after 
years, are the names of Ambrose Leach and Thomas Cake- 
bread included in the list of the early grantees, upon whose 
original rights the Proprietors based their titles to the com- 
mon lands. No other names are in the list except those of 
the early or original grantees; and the presumption is, that 
they were included on account of some service performed for 
the town : one perhaps for building a bridge, and the other 
for building a mill. The next contract for building a bridge 
was with Timothy Hawkins of Watertown. and is as fol- 
lows : — 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 95 

"The 26th day of November, 16**. 

"Agreed between the Inhabitants of Sudbury on the one 
part, and Timothy Hawkins of Watertown on the other part 
that the said Timothy shall build a sufficient cart bridge over 
the river, beginning at the west side of the river running 
across the river, five rods long and twelve feet wide, one foot 
above high water mark, the arches to be . . . foot wide, 
all but the middle arch which is to be 14 feet wide, the silts 
— inches square 26 feet long, the posts 16 inches square the 

CU p S and 16, the braces 8 inches square, the bridge 

must have a rail on each side, and the rails must be braced 
at every post, the plank must be two inches thick sawn, there 
must be 5 braces for the plank, — the bridge the bearers 12 
inches square, the bridge is by him to be ready to raise by 
the last day of May next. For which work the Inhabitants 
do consent to pay unto the said Timothy for his work so done, 
the sum of 13 pounds to be paid in corn and cattle, the corn 
at the general price of the country, and the cattle at the price 
as two men shall judge them worth. 

" The said Timothy is to fell all the timber and saw it, and 
then the town is to carry it to the place." 

The town was also to help raise it. The time of this con- 
tract also is uncertain. The record of the date is so muti- 
lated that it is uncertain whether it is 1643 or 1653. On the 
page preceding are the dates 1652 and 1653. If this contract 
was made in 1643, then that with Ambrose Leach might have 
been earlier than has been conjectured, and the bridge built 
by him may have been destroyed by a flood soon after com- 
pletion, which caused the erection of another so soon. 

In 1645, it was ordered "that X20 should be alowed y e 
town of Sudbury toward y e building of their bridge and way 
at y e end of it to be paid y m when they shall have made y e 
way passable for loaden horses, so it be done w th in a twelve 
month." (Colony Records, Vol. II., p. 102.) The town 
was also for this reason at one time favored by an abatement 
of rates, as we are informed by the following record : — 

"Whereas it appears to us that Concord, Sudbury and Lan- 



96 HISTORY OF SUDBUKY. 

caster arc at a greater charge in bridges for the publicque use 
of the countrye than some other of theire neighbor tbwnes, 
we conceive it meete that they be abated as followeth ; Con- 
cord and Lancaster all theire rates, whether payd or to be 
payd to those two bridges above named, and Sudbury the one 
half of theire rates to the sayd bridges, and theire abatement 
to be satisfied to the undertakers of those bridges, or repayed 
againe to such as have paved as followeth/' (Colony Rec- 
ords. Vol. IV., p. 307.) 

The bridge built at this spot is said to he the first framed 
bridge in Middlesex County. The locality is one rich in 
reminiscences of Sudbury's early History. Over this cross- 
ing the Indians were forced, on that memorable day when 
King Philip attacked the town. At the "Bridge foot*' were 
buried the bodies of the Concord men who were slain on 
that dismal day. (See period 1676-1700.) It was the 
bridge o( the old stage period. Just beyond, by the "gravel 
pit," was the beginning o( the "Old Lancaster road."' Here 
was the crossing, over which Washington passed when he 
went through the town. Thus suggestive are the associa- 
tions that cluster about the spot, and chime in with the nat- 
ural loveliness that sometimes adorns it. When the mead- 
ows grow green in the spring-time as the floods are passing 
away, and the willows, standing in hedgerows like silent 
sentinels, send forth their fragrant perfume, here surely is a 
fit place for reflection, a suitable spot in winch to meditate 
upon things that were long ago. 

CAUSEWAY. 

Westerly beyond the bridge was built a raised road or 
causeway, which was sometimes called the ••Casey" or 
"Carsey." This is a memorable piece of highway. Repeat- 
edly has it been raised to place it above the floods. At one 
time the work was apportioned by lot : and at another the 
Legislature allowed the town to issue tickets for a grand 
lottery, the avails of which were to be expended upon this 
causeway. 

Stakes were formerly set as safeguards to the traveler, that 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 97 

he might not stray from the way. In 1653, it is recorded 
that speedy measures were to be taken to repair the cause- 
way and highways. Just when this causeway was built we 
have found no record, but we infer that it was begun as early 
as 1643, since at that time the cart-bridge was made, and 
about that time the service of Thomas Noyes as ferryman 
ceased. With the construction of a cart-bridge, the people 
would naturally construct a cart causeway, since without this 
a cart-bridge could be of no use for vehicles. The older 
causeway is that which is a few rods west of the town bridge 
further east, and takes a southwesterly course at the parting 
of the ways. 

GRIST-MILL. 

Another necessary convenience to the settlers was a grist- 
mill, or, as they expressed it, " a mill to grind the town's 
corn." Such a mill was erected in the spring of 1639 by 
Thomas Cakebread. The following is the record concerning 
it: ''Granted to Thomas Cakebread for and in considera- 
tion of building a mill, 40 a. of upland or thereabout now 
adjoining to the mill, and a little piece of meadow down- 
wards, and a piece of meadow upward, and which may be 16 
or 20 a. or thereabout. Also there is given for his accommo- 
dation for his estate 30 a. of meadow and 40 a. of upland." 
(Town Records.) 

Mr. Cakebread did not long live to make use of his mill. 
His widow married Sargent John Grout, who took charge of 
the property. "In 1643, the cranberry swamp formerly 
granted to Antient Ensign Cakebread was confirmed to John 
Grout, and there was granted to Sargent John Grout a swamp 
lying by the house of Philemon Whale, to pen Avater for the 
use of the mill, and of preparing it to remain for the use of 
the town." 

Probably the house of Philemon Whale was not far from 
the present Concord road, near Wayland Centre, and pos- 
sibly stood on the old cellar hole at the right of the road, 
north of the Dana Parmenter house. The bridge at the 
head of the mill-pond long bore the name of Whale's Bridge. 
This mill stood on the spot where the present grist-mill 



98 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

stands, near Wayland Centre, and which has been known as 
Reeves's, Grout's, and, more recently, Wight's mill. Some 
of the original timber of the Cakebread INI ill is supposed to 
be in the present structure. The stream by which it is run 
is now small, but in early times it was probably somewhat 
larger. The dimensions of the mill are larger than formerly, 
it having been lengthened toward the west. 

CHURCH. 

The town now being laid out, and the necessary means for 
securing a livelihood provided, the people turned their atten- 
tion to ecclesiastical matters. The church was of paramount 
importance to the early new England inhabitants. For its 
privileges they had in part embarked for these far-off shores. 
To preserve its purity they became pilgrims on earth, exiles 
from friends and their native land. Borne hither with such 
noble desires, we have evidence that when they arrived they 
acted in accordance with them. In 1640 a church was orga- 
nized, which was Congregational in government and Calvin- 
istic in creed or faith. A copy of its covenant is still pre- 
served. The church called to its pastorate Rev. Edmund 
Brown, and elected Mr. William Brown deacon. It is sup- 
posed that the installation of Rev. Edmund Brown was at 
the time of the formation of the church. The town in se- 
lecting Mr. Brown for its minister secured the services of 
an energetic and devoted man. Edward Johnson says of 
him, in his "Wonder-Working Providence," "The church 
in Sudbury called to the office of a pastor the reverend, 
godly and able minister of the word, Mr. Edmund Brown, 
whose labors in the doctrine of Christ Jesus hath hitherto 
abounded, wading through this wilderness work with much 
cheerfulness of spirit, of whom as followeth : — 

" Both night and day Brown ceaseth not to watch 

Christ's little flock in pastures fresh them feed, 
The worrying wolves shall not the weak lambs catch; 

Well dost thou mind in wildernesse their breed. 
Edmund, thy age is not so great but thou 

Maist yet behold the Beast brought to her fall, 
Earth's tottering Kingdome shew her legs gin bow, 

Thou 'mongst Christ's Saints with prayers maist her mawle. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 99 

" What signes wouldst have faith's courage for to rouse? 

See Christ triumphant hath his armies led, 
In Wildernesse prepar'd his lovely Spouse, 

Caused Kings and Kingdomes his high hand to dread; 
Thou seest his churches daily are increasing, 

And though thyself amongst his worthyes warring, 
Hold up thy hands, the battel's now increasing, 

Christ's Kingdom's ay, it's past all mortall's marring." 

The home of Mr. Brown was in the territory of Wayland, 
by the south bank of Mill Brook, on what was called " Tim- 
ber Neck." (See map of house-lots, Chapter V.) The house 
was called in his will "Brunswick," which means "mansion 
by the stream," and stood near the junction of Mill Brook 
with the river, a little southeast of Farm Bridge, and nearly 
opposite the Richard Heard place. Nothing now visible 
marks the spot, bat both record and undisputed tradition 
give its whereabouts. (For further of Mr. Brown see period 
1675-1700.) Mr. Brown's salary the first year was to be 
<£40, one-half to be paid in money, the other half in some 
or all of these commodities : " Wheate, pees, butter, cheese, 
porke, beefe, hemp and flax, at every quarters end." In the 
maintenance of the pastor and church the town acted as in 
secular matters. The church was for the town ; its records 
were for a time town records. Civil and ecclesiastical mat- 
ters were connected. If there was no state church, there 
was a town church, a minister and meeting-house, that was 
reached by and reached the masses. " Rates " were gath- 
ered no more surely for the "king's tax " than to maintain 
the ministry. To show the manner of raising the money for 
the minister's salary shortly after his settlement, we insert 
the following: "The first day of the second month, 1643. 
It is agreed upon by the town that the Pastor shall [have] 
for this year, beginning the first day of the first month, 
thirty pound, to be gathered by rate and to be paid unto him 
at two several payments, the first payment to be made one 
month after midsummer, the other payment to be made one 
month after Michaelmas, for the gathering of which the town 
hath desired Mr. Pendleton and Walter Hayne to undertake 
it, and also the town hath discharged the pastor from all 



100 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

rates, for this year, and the rate to be levied according to the 

rate which was for the meeting-house, the invoice being 

taken by John Freeman." Of the prosperity of this little 
church, Johnson says, in his -Wonder-Working Providence," 
"This church hath hitherto, been blessed with blessings of 
the right hand, even godly peace and unity; they are not 
above 50 or GO families and about 80 souls in church fellow- 
ship, their Neat head about 300." 

MEETING-HOUSE. 

A church formed and pastor secured, an early movement 
was made for a meeting-house. 

"'Mid forests unsubdued 

The Sabbath dome rose fair, 
And in their rude unsheltered homes 
Was heard the call — to prayer." 

Simes. 

The spot selected was at what is now the "Old Burying- 
ground," in Wayland. The building stood in its westerly 
part, and a few rods northerly of the Sudbury Centre and 
Wayland highway. The site is marked by a slight embank- 
ment, and by a row of evergreens set by Mr. J. S. Draper. 
The house was built by John Rutter, and the contract was 

as follows : — 

" February 17th, 1CA2. 

" It is agreed between the townsmen of this town on the 

one part, and John Rutter on the other part, that the said 

John Rutter for his part, shall fell, saw. hew and frame a 

house for a meeting-house thirty foot long, twenty foot wide, 

eight foot between joint three foot between, stude two cross 

dorments in the house six clear story windows, two with 

four lights apiece, and four with three lights apiece, and to 

ententise between the stude, which frame is to be made 

ready to raise the first week in May next. 

"John Rutter. 

"And the town for their part do covenant to draw all the 
timber to place, and to help to raise the house being framed 
and also to pay to the said John Rutter for the said work 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 101 

six pounds, that is to say, three pound to be paid in corn 

at three shillings a bushel, or in money, in and upon this 

twenty seventh day, of this present month, and the other 

three pounds to be paid in money, corn and cattle to be 

prized by two men of the town, one to be chosen by the 

town and the other to be chosen by John Rutter, and to be 

paid at the time that the frame is by the said John Rutter 

finished. 

" Peter Noyse, Walter Haynes, 

"Brian Pendleton, John How, 
"William Ward, Thomas Whyte." 

(Town Book, p. 27.) 

An act relative to the raising and locating of the building is 
the following, dated May, 1643: The town "agreed that the 
meeting-house shall stand upon the hillside, before the house- 
lot of John Loker, on the other side of the way ; also that 
every inhabitant that hath a house-lot shall attend [the rais- 
ing of] the new meeting-house, or send a sufficient man to 
help raise the meeting-house." The year after the contract 
was made a rate was ordered for the finishing of the house, 
to be raised on "meadow and upland and all manner of 
cattle above a quarter old, to be prized as they were for- 
merly: Shoates at 6 shillings 8 pence apiece, kids at 4 shil- 
lings apiece." 

A further record of the meeting-house is as follows : — 

"Nov. 5th, 1645. 
" It is ordered that all those who are appointed to have 
seats in the meeting-house that they shall bring in their first 
payment for their seats to Hugh Griffin or agree with him 
between this and the 14th day of this month, which is on 
Friday next week and those that are (deficient) we do 
hereby give power to the Marshall to distrain both for their 
payment for their seats and also for the Marshall's own labor 
according to a former order twelve pence. 

"Walter Hayne, William Warde. 

"Edmund Goodnow, John Reddicke, 

" Hugh Griffin." 



102 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Considerable importance was attached in the early times 
to the seating of people in the meeting-house, and in the 
records of new houses of worship mention is made of this 
matter. Respect was had to social condition and circum- 
stance ; committees were chosen to adjust these matters in 
the payment of rates, and references are made in the records 
of town-meeting to the requests of parties about their seats 
in the meeting-house. A rule that was general was, that 
the men should sit at one end of the pew and the women at 
the other. In the third meeting-house erected in Sudbury 
it was a part of a plan that the pews should be so arranged 
as to seat seven men on one side and seven women on the 
other. In this first meeting-house of Sudbury, the people 
purchasing seats had a right to dispose of their purchase, in 
case they should leave the settlement ; but the right was 
reserved by the town of seating the parties who purchased, 
as is declared by the following record, Jan.- 26, 1645 : It was 
"ordered, that all those that pay for seats in the meeting- 
house shall have leave to sell as many seats as they pay for, 
provided, they leave the seating of the persons to whom they 
sell, to the church officers, to seat them if they themselves 
go out of town." About this first meeting-house a burial 
place was soon started. No land purchase was made for this 
purpose until subsequent years (see chapter on Cemeteries), 
but. after the old English custom, graves were gathered about 
the church. The services held in the first meeting-house 
were probably like those held in other houses of the period. 
There were two sermons on Sunday, with a short intermis- 
sion at noon. The sermon was usually about an hour in 
length, and the time of preaching was measured by an hour- 
glass that was placed in the pulpit. Long prayers, if not in 
favor, were in use ; and the minister prayed for the practical 
needs of his little flock, detailing in his supplications the 
wants of the sick, the sorrowful, the sinful, and asking that 
all things might be sanctified to the soul's spiritual good. 
Strangers were sometimes asked to exhort or prophesy. 
Scripture reading, except reading the text, and incidental 
readings in the course of the sermon, was not known in the 
early churches. We are informed by Mr. Loring's Diary 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 103 

that the reading o'f the Scriptures, as a part of the Sabbath 
service, was introduced into the Sudbury church, without 
opposition, in 1748. When the Scriptures were read, an 
exposition was expected ; and without this it was called 
" dumb reading." The church music was of a congrega- 
tional character, and made use of for worship. There were 
no useless mummeries of meaningless tunes. Most of the 
churches for a time after 1640 used "The Bay Psalm Book," 
which was gotten up by New England ministers, and which 
was the second hymn book used in British America. It is 
stated (Palfrey) that, for three-quarters of a century, not 
more than ten different tunes were used in public worship, 
among which were "York," "Hackney," "St. Martyns," 
"Windsor," and "St. Marys." The people were called to 
meeting by the beating of a drum. In a record, bearing date 
1652, is a statement as follows: "It shall be agreed with 
Edmund Goodenow, that his son shall beat the Drum twice 
every lecture day, and twice every forenoon, and twice every 
afternoon upon every Lord's day, to give notice what time to 
come to meeting; for which the town will give him twenty 
shillings a year — and to pay him in the town rates." This 
son of Edmund Goodenow was John, as the records state 
that, in 1654, " John Goodenow was discharged from the 
town's engagement for beating the drum to call persons to 
meeting." A sexton was soon appointed, and it is recorded 
that, in 1644, John Toll was to " make clean the meeting- 
house for one year, and to have for his labor six shillings, 
eight pence." 



CHAPTER VII. 

Land Divisions. — Origin of the Terms " Common " and " Lot."— Per- 
mission of Colonial Court for Land Division. — Principles upon which 
Land Divisions were Made.— The Meadows a Basis of Division.— 
Meadow Rights, or Meadow Dividends.— Rules of Division. — Quan- 
tity of Meadow Received in Three Early Allotments.— Division of 
Upland.— Town's Common or Undivided Lands.— Proprietors' Com- 
mon or Undivided Lands. — Proprietors' Meetings subsequent to 
1700.— Specimens of their Records.— Land Allotments to be Re- 
corded.— Cow Common.— Land for the Support of the Ministry.— 
Reservations for "Planting Fields," a "Training Field," a Mill, a 
Pasture for " Working Oxen," Timber Land. 

These are the records, half effaced, 

Which, with the hand of youth, he traced 

On History's page. 

Longfellow. 

The settlers had little more than got fairly located at the 
plantation, when they began dividing their territory, and 
apportioning it in parcels to the inhabitants. Before these 
divisions were made there were no private estates, except 
such house-lots and few acres as were assigned at the outset 
for the settler's encouragement or help, or such land tracts 
as were obtained by special grant from the Colonial Court. 
But divisions soon came. Piece afterpiece was apportioned, 
and ] Kissed into private possession. Soon but little of the 
public domain was left, save small patches at the junction of 
roads, or some reservation for a school-house, meeting-house 
or pound, or plot for the village-green. 

From common land, which the undivided territory was 
called, has come the word " common " as applied to a town 
common, park or public square. And from the division of 
land by lot, the term " lot" has come into use, as " meadow- 
lot;' " wood-lot," and " house-lot." The early land divisions 



104 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 105 

were made, on permission of the Colonial Court, by such 
commissioners as the town or court might appoint. As a 
specimen of these permits, we give the following : — 

"A Generall Court, holden at Boston the 4 th Day of the 
7 th month 1639. 

" The order of the Court, vpon the petition of the inhabi- 
tants of Sudbury, is, that Peter Noyes, Bryan Pendleton, J 
[John] Parmm A [Parmenter], Edmond B [Brown], Walter 
Hayne, George Moning, & Edmond Rise have comission to lay 
out lands to the p'sent inhabitants, according to their estates 
& persons & that Capt Jeanison, M r Mayhewe, M r Flint, M r 
Samuel Sheopard, & John Bridge, or any 3 of them, shall, in 
convenient time, repaire to the said towne, & set out such 
land and accomodations, both for house-lots & otherwise, 
both for M r Pelham & M r Walgrave, as they shall think suit- 
able to their estates, to bee reserved for them if they shall 
come to inhabite them in convenient time, as the Court shall 
think [fit]." 

But while these divisions were by the permission of the 
court, the principles of division were largely left to the peo- 
ple themselves ; and in the early New England towns various 
methods were adopted, in accordance with the plan or com- 
pact on which the plantation was formed. In more or less of 
the towns, the petitioners for a land tract of which a town 
was to be composed were a company of proprietors which 
might correspond to a corporation of to-day. They had a 
moderator, clerk, record book, and committee. The officials 
of these proprietaries, before a place was incorporated, per- 
formed functions to some extent corresponding to those of 
town officials afterwards. The committees corresponded to 
the town's selectmen, the clerk to a town clerk, and the pro- 
prietors' books to town records. The proprietors' books were 
not only a record of their proceedings, but served also as a 
registry of deeds, and were the evidence of land sales, bound- 
aries, etc. 

These companies or proprietors could, by majority vote, 
divide up and dispose of their land in a way subject only to 



106 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the terms of the proprietors- compact, to restrictions of the 
court and the common law. When the plantation by incor- 
poration became a town, the proprietors did not lose their 
original territorial rights, but the principle of ownership and 
control was the same as before. If, when the place was a 
plantation or proprietary, a person owned certain shares in 
the territory by reason of money paid in, or as a reward or 
recompense for some service performed, when it became a 
town he retained his right to those shares and the rights that 
appertained to them ; and when the lands were divided those 
rights would be allowed. Hence, whether it were plantation 
or town when the division of land was made, though the act 
of division was subject to a majority vote, the mode of divis- 
ion was to have reference to the original right of every 

grantee. 

The town of Sudbury, as a plantation, was formed on 
what we consider the proprietary principle. The persons 
that petitioned for the land tract, and those whom they 
represented, or, in other words, the original grantees, at 
first possessed the whole territory. In their collective 
capacity, they had power to divide up their lands or keep 
them as common property ; but when divisions were made, 
it must be done in an equitable manner, that is, in proportion 
as each had paid in, or in proportion to the value of the orig- 
inal right ; or they were to dispose of them in such a way as 
was, by general consent, for the common good of the com- 
pany, as°the selling of land to meet public expenses, or the 
granting of it as a gratuity to help on the settlement ; or the 
setting apart of a portion of it for a common pasture. But 
while the town had a right to do any or all of these things, 
as a matter of fact it did not at first divide up all of its land, 
except the meadows. These it divided proportionably, as 
we have stated, and the meadows being thus divided, became 
the basis of future allowance and rights ; in other words, it 
is supposed that the settlers put into the enterprise different 
amounts of money, and received meadow lands in proportion 
to what each put in ; and that, on the basis of the amount of 
meadow received, rates were raised for public purposes, and 
certain rights were possessed— as the right of commonage, or 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 107 

to divisions of uplands. So far as we know, no lands were 
sold at the outset solely and directly to construct public 
works, or to pay for a foot of the common territory. 

Thus the division of meadow land was an important 
transaction. It was not only a disposal of common prop- 
erty of the proprietors, bnt it established a standard of 
rates, and in a certain sense of valuation. For example, 
money to pay for land purchased of Karto was to " be gath- 
ered according to such quantity of meadow as are granted to 
the inhabitants of the town." In the division of "uplands," 
the rule of receiving was according as a person was possessed 
of "meadow." In the pasturage of the extensive cow com- 
mon, the people were to be limited in the number of cattle 
put in by their meadows, or their rates as based upon them. 

In the erection of the meeting-house and pay of the minister 
reference was had to rates paid on the meadows. Perhaps the 
meadows thus assigned might properly be termed "meadow- 
rights." As in some places the "acre-right" would procure 
lands or privileges in proportion to the part paid into the com- 
mon venture by the proprietor, so in Sudbury the meadow-right 
might do likewise ; and a person who possessed an original 
meadow-right might possess a right to subsequent land allot- 
ments, or the right of his cattle to commonage, so long as the 
town had undivided territory. Thus it might be said that the 
proprietors received values on their investment in the enter- 
prise, not by monied divisions, but by land divisions. Hence, 
these divisions of land might be called the dividends of those 
early days, and the money raised by the town on the basis of 
these early divisions of meadow might be called assessments 
on the stock made to meet public expenses. We conclude that 
these meadow-rights or dividends were merchantable, to the 
extent that a person in selling them might or might not con- 
vey the right that belonged to them, as related to commonage 
and other allotments. The lands that were given by gratu- 
lation, for worthiness or work done for the public, might 
or might not have the privileges of an original meadow- 
right or dividend. In raising money to pay Karto for the 
land which the town last bought of him, it was ordered 
that " all meadow was to pay at one price, and that all 



108 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

meadow given by way of gratulation should have right of 
commonage." 

That the original grantees, and those subsequently given 
the privileges of such, as a "gratulation" for services per- 
formed for the settlers, could transfer the right to subsequent 
divisions of the common and undivided land, is indicated by 
the records of the proceedings of the proprietors of these 
lands many years after the settlement of Sudbury. In the 
Proprietors' Book of Records, as will be noticed further along, 
are given repeated lists of the names of the early grantees, 
even after the most if not all of them had passed away. 
These lists are referred to as those possessing an original 
right to the town's undivided land, and may indicate that 
wherever or whenever one possessed that right as it had been 
conveyed through the years, in whatever way, that person 
could claim land when a division was made, or could vote on 
the disposal of the proprietors' undivided territory. 

With this explanation, or setting forth of the principles of 
division, we are prepared to notice the divisions themselves, 
which are of two kinds : first, those made as an encourage- 
ment and help to the settlement ; second, those made on the 
principle of meadow dividends or meadow rights. The divis- 
ions made under the first head were probably two. The 
first of them was that of house-lots, which, as we have said. 
comprised only a comparatively small area, perhaps sufficient 
for a garden or orchard, and a small clearing about the door, 
and intended as an encouragement to the owner to continue 
there as a citizen. It is supposed these lots were given in an 
equable manner, the average being about four or five acres ; 
and when there is much variation from this, it was doubtless 
to make up for inequality of situation, soil, or some circum- 
stance which called for exception. It mattered not whether 
married or unmarried, each received a like lot. As a rule, it 
was expected that those receiving lots should build upon 
them, as the Colony Records state (Vol I., p. 222) that "Mr. 
Pelham and Walgrave are granted their lots at Sudbury abso- 
lutely w th out condition of dwelling there only Mr. Pelham 
p mised to build a house and settle a family there & to be 
there as much as he could in the summer time.*' 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 109 

It was essential that the plantation should be peopled. The 
condition of the grant by the Colonial Court was, that there 
should be settled a certain number of families within a speci- 
fied time ; and, in case of failure, the lands were forfeited. 
It was an object, then, to encourage settlement by the gift of 
a lot for a homestead, and so much land as was essential to 
give the settler a start. Beside this first allotment for homes, 
at an early period an allotment was made of meadows, which 
may have also been for encouragement and help. An early 
rule for the apportionment of meadow, which we think may 
have been for this purpose, is this : — 

"It was ordered and agreed that the meadows of the town 
of Sudbury shall be laid out and given to the present inhab- 
itants, as much as shall be thought meet according to this 
rule following:. 

Imprimis. To every Mr of a ffamilie 6 akers. 
To every wiffe 6A akers. 

To every child 1|- akers. 

To every mare, cow, ox, or any other cattle that may amount 
to 20 £ or so much money 3 akers." 

We conjecture that lands given by this rule were for 
encouragement, from the fact that a house-lot of itself would 
not suffice to give a support, or afford food for the cattle. It- 
was also essential that some meadow should at first be allowed 
on other than a property basis, as was the case in other divis- 
ions. The larger the household and the cattle herd, the more 
need of much meadow. We have no record to inform us 
how much meadow was assigned by this rule. By other 
rules, about a thousand acres, more or less, were divided; and 
if there were fifteen hundred acres of meadow in the grant 
which the court allowed, supposing as much was found to 
exist there, then about five hundred may have been divided 
in this way. By this rule, the settlers who came on the ship 
"Confidence " would receive about a hundred acres, allowing 
a fair amount for their stock. 

We come now to consider the second class of divisions 
referred to, viz. : those of the meadow lands which were to 



HO HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

be as land dividends, or as the basis of assessments for raising 
money to meet public expenses, or for the allotment of other 
lands. It is supposed that three such divisions of meadow 
were made on different occasions, all before the close of the 
year 1(340. An original record of these divisions has been 
given on the town books, but it is now so worn that parts of 
it are entirely gone. It is placed early in the first book, and 
some one has added to it the date 1638, which is incorrect, 
since no divisions were made so soon. In another part of 
the first town book (p. 137) is found another list, signed by 
John Grout, a subsequent clerk. The list was probably 
copied by him from the original, before it became so defaced, 
or the lost part may have been restored by him from his per- 
sonal knowledge, or from some source not now extant. Still 
another list is given in the Stearns' Collection, written by 
Noah Clapp ; and other lists are given in the Proprietors' 
Book. We give the first list found in the original town book 
so far as it can be read, together with the preamble, and com- 
plete the list from the point where the part is wanting by the 
list of John Grout : — 

"A record of the names of the Inhabitants of Sudbury, 
with their several quantity of meadow to every one granted 
according to their estates or granted by gratulation for ser- 
vices granted by them, which meadow is ratable upon all 
common charges. 

Imprimis 
M r William Pelham 
M r Edmund Brown 
M T Noyse 
Bryan Pendleton 
Walter llaine 
John Ilayne 
John Blandford 
hugh Grifr'vn 
Edmond Goodnowe 
Bobert Beast 
Thomas Noyse 
Thomas Browne 



The first 






Gratu- 


division. 


Second. 


Third. 


lation. 


m 


:;- 


25 




16i 


33i 


25 


15 


16 


32 


24 




13i 


3<H 


22 


16 


13i 


29i 


■2-2h 


10 


01 

-2 


5* 


4 




H 


4 


2| 




2 


3 


5i 




5 


11 


8 




H 


T£ 


bh 




-H 


10 


T± 




7 


16 


m 





HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



Ill 





The first 
division. 


Second. 


Third. 


William Browne 


2* 


3 


93 

^4 


Robert Darnill 


8 


17 


19i 

2 


Thomas Good now 


2 


4 


3 


John Freeman 


4 


8 


6 


Solomon Johnson 








william ward 


4i 


11 


7| 


Richard Newton 


2 


4 


3 


John Howe 


2 


4 


3 


George Munnings 


H 


7 


5* 


Anthony whyte 


3 


6i 


4| 


Andrew Belcher 


4 


8 


6i 


John Goodnowe 


2| 


9 


5| 


John Reddock 


2i 


5 


| 


Thomas Whyte 


5 


10 


7* 


John Parmenter Senior 


6* 


12 


8| 


Edmoncl Rice 


9i 


19 


14^ 


Henry Rice 


8 




4 


wyddow Buffumthwyte 


7 


3i 

o 2 




Henry Curtis 


1 


3 


2 


John Stone 


2 


^2 


4| 


John Parmenter Jun 


2 


6* 


3| 


John Rutter 









Gratu- 
lation. 



10 



The following names are from 
the list of John Grout : — 



John Toll 


5 




4 




John Wood 


8* 


7 


6* 




Henry Loker 


1 


8* 


91 

w 4 




John Loker 


1 


3 


2 




Widow Wright 


2 


4 


3 




John Bent 


1 


14 


10i 


4 


Nathaniell Treadway 


5 


10 


n 




Widow Hunt 


1 


3 


2 


10 


John Maynard 


11 




4i 


3 


Joseph Taintor 


1* 


5 


3| 




Richard Fordom 








30 


Thomas Cakbread 








30 


Mr. Herbert Pelham 











112 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The first Gratu- 

division. Second. Third. lation. 

Mr. Glover 

Richard Bitlcom (Bildcome) 

Robert Davis 

Henry Prentis H 4 2| 3 

W m Kerly 

Beside the list in this tabulated form, we have a record on 
the town book of the first two divisions of meadow, together 
with the reason assigned for the record and for the divisions 
of land, and also, in some cases, the locations of the lands. 
This record, which is as follows, Ave give in the order that is 
found in the book : — 

" It is ordered that all the inhabitants of this town shall 
have | of their total meadows laid out this present year, 
viz. : the first divided according to discretion, and the sec- 
ond by lot, and the quantity of every man's particular sum 
amounts to the sum following. 

" Here followeth a record of the particular quantity of the 
acres of meadows, which were laid out in the first division 
unto the inhabitants, as they lie successively upon the great 
River, with the allowance of such acres which were added 
to supply for the badness to be a proportionate rule to the 
inhabitants." 

" The 22 nd day of February 1639. 

41 It is ordered and agreed that whereas now the commis- 
sioners of Sudbury have a levy to gather some money to pay 
for the purchase of our plantation, and also other rates for 
divers occasions, do order that all our rates shall now be gath- 
ered according to such quantity of meadows as are granted 
to the inhabitants of the town according to the rate or fixed 
propotion, as in pages following, which we have annexed for 
future reference. 

" Impr To Henry Prentise was laid out 1A acres being his 
just quantity is to be rated for, and lieith on the north side 
of Bridle Point, so called now, and on the other side of the 
river, and adjoineth to the brook, the end bounded by marked 
stakes. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



113 



John Parmenter Junior 


Acres. 


John How 


Acres. 

2* 


Richard Newton 
Andrew Belcher 
Peter Noyse 
William Parker 


2 

4 

16 

1* 


and an acre for allowance 
Hugh Griffyn 2 

and 1^ acres for allowance 
Thomas Whyte 5 


Thomas Browne 


7 


and 3 for allowance 




John Parmenter Senior 5* 
and 2 acres for allowance 


Joseph Tayntor 

1 acre for allowance 


% 


Henry Loker 
John Goodnow 
John Wood 


1* 


John Blandford 

£ acre for allowance 
Bryan Pendleton 


1* 
12* 


Robert Hunt 


l 


1 acre for allowance 




Richard Whyte 
Thomas Goodnow 


o 
2 


Edmond Browne 
1\ for allowance 


16* 


Anthony White 
John Bent 


3 

7 


George Munnings 
3^ for allowance 


3* 


Widow Noyes 


2 


Walter Haynes 


13* 


William Browne 


1 


James Buckmaster 


3 


The Minister's Meadow 




John Freeman 


4 


Thomas Joslyn 
Edmond Goodnow 


1 

''2 


Goodman Witherill 
Solomon Johnson 


2 
3 


Thomas Hayne 


^2 


John Knight • 


16* 


John Loker 
Robert Beast 


1 


Nathaniell Treadaway 
Henry Curtise 


5 
1 


Robert Darnell 


8* 


John Stone 


2 


Thomas Noyse 
John Maynard 


1* 


John Reddicke 
William Pellam 


2* 
16i 



and one acre for allowance. 

" Here followeth a record of the particular quantity of the 
acres of meadow which now laid out in the second division 
of them unto the inhabitants, as they fall to them by lot. 





Acres. 




Acres. 


Impr. John How 


4 


Goodman Witherill 


4 


Bryan Pendleton 


301 


Hugh Griffin 


5 


The Ministers Meadow 




Robert Hunt 


3 


Nathaniel Tread way 


10 


Richard Newton 


4 


James Buckmaster 


7 


Thomas Flyn 


3 



114 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



John Parmenter Senior 
John Ruddicke 
John Blandford 
John Wood 
Thomas Haynes 
William Brown 
Richard Whyte 
Thomas Goodnow 
Andrew Belcher 
Widow Noyse 
William Pellam 
Thomas Browne 
John Stone 
Henry Loker 



Acres. 

12 
5 

4 

7 

5* 

3 



4 

33i 
16 

H 



Robert Darnell 
Henry Curtys 

Robert Beast 
John Goodnow 
Edmond Goodnow 
8 for allowance 
George Mannings 
4 for allowance 
Anthony Whyte 
Henry Prentise 
John Parmenter Junior 
William Parker 
Edmund Rice 
Solomon Johnson 



Acres. 

17 
3 

114 



6i 

4~ 



"Peter Noyse had the moiety of his second addition of 
meadows, his 16 acres, laid out below next Concord bounds 
and he has laid out 6 acres more next adjoining unto 20 
acres laid out unto Edmond Browne, about and against the 
Bridle Point. Now in case the said Peter shall be inhibited 
from the enjoying of the said 16 acres last specified, it shall 
be lawful for the said Peter to have it laid out upon or in 
any meadow not laid out to any. 

" Edmond Browne is to have 15 acres for his second addi- 
tion, in part lying about the timber neck on the south side, 
if he accepteth it, and 20 acres laid out next over bridle 
point, which 2 acres if he shall not enjoy, or if Mr. Pellam 
cometh not up he is then to choose where he will have it 
laid out and upon any meadow that shall be assigned by and 
of Mr Herbert Pellam 
" 20 th 2 m : 

" Edmond Brown, Peter Noyse, 
"Bryan Pendleton, Walter Haynes, 
" Edmund Rice, George Munnings." 

Beside the foregoing record of the first two divisions, there 
is a record, which directly follows, of an -addition" made 
Nov. 18, 1640, which is this : — 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



115 



" We whose names are under written being chosen by the 
town of Sudbury, and part in commission for to assign to the 
inhabitants of such land as by order was given them which 
was called the third additions, have affixed unto them as 
followeth, the eighteenth day of November 1640. 

" Granted unto 

Acres. Acres. 

John Knight 55 

Hugh Griffin 20 

These lands lie at gravel pitte. 



Joseph Ta}-ntor 



1 2 



To John Stone 

Nathaniel Treadaway 

Henry Curtys 

John Reddicke 

Edmond Rice 

Edmond Goodenough 7| 

Upon the south side of the land last above written. 



9 


John Wood 


4 


16i 


William Ward 


8 


4 


John Freeman 


13 


9} 


Solomon Johnson 


11 


9 


John Knight 


6 



Acres. 

38 

67 

11 

9 

10 



12 

22 
18 
17 
25 

8 
18 

9 

9 

6* 



Widow Hunt 
John Bent 
John Maynard 
Thomas Jslyn 
Andrew Belcher 
Thomas Goodnough 
Mr. Noyse 
William Brown 
Thomas Brown 
Anthony Whyte 
Thomas Cakbread 
John Parmenter Sr 
Henry Loker 
John Goodnough 
John Wood 
Widow Rite 
John Loker 



Acres. 

A 1 - 
23 

9 

4 1 
14 

8* 

53 
18 
29 



Brian Pendleton 
Walter Ha} r nes and John 

Haynes 
Edmond Goodenough 
John Goodenough 
William Kerly 
Robert Beast 
Thomas Noyse 
John Waterman 
Walter Haynes 
Bryan Pendleton 
John Blandford 
Edmond Rice 
John Howe 
Robert Darnill 
Henry Prentiss 
John Parmenter Jn 
Richard Newton 

"Peter Noyse, Bryan Pendleton, Edmond Rice, Walter 
Haynes, Edmund Goodnough." 



10± 

44 

191 



11| 
8* 



116 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Such are some of the larger land divisions recorded in the 
earlier days of the town, and before the division of the new 
grant on the west side. Other divisions took place as the 
years went by. Not only the meadows but the uplands 
were parcelled out and apportioned, some for public use, 
some to the early grantees, and some to individuals in return 
for value or service. 

In 1642 an addition of upland was made "in acres accord- 
ing to the 1st and 2ond divisions of meadows granted unto 
them by the rule of their estate ; and Peter Noyes, Bryan 
Pendleton, George Munnings, Edmund Rice and Edmund 
Goodenow were to have power to lay oat the -3d division at 
their discretion." 

In 1678 John Loker was to have for a house and some 
land which the town desired of him for the minister, and 
which was situated just west of the meeting-house, " twenty 
pounds of money of New England, and also forty acres of 
land on the west side of the great river of Sudbury, in some 
place of the common land, that he, the said John Loker, shall 
choose, near to that called the World's End. Only it is to 
be on the eastern side of the highway, that there leads from 
Pantry Bridge to Concord, and lieth also on the north side of 
the Pantry and Gulf meadows." 

Rev. Mr. Sherman, also, about the same time, was to have 
"six acres of common upland, being on the back side of the 
town, at the end of Smith field; and also six acres of meadow 
ground, some where out of the common meadows of this 
town." He was also to pasture his cattle on the common 
lands, and have firewood and timber from them. 

These records show that a variety and abundance of terri- 
tory was at the disposal of the town as late as towards the 
last of the seventeenth century; but years after the town 
had ceased to apportion undivided lands to the inhabitants, 
and the original grantees were all or nearly all dead, there 
existed a portion of territory owned and controlled by par- 
ties who were called in their record book ' k y e Proprietors of 
y e Common and undivided land in Sudbury."' These pro- 
prietors based their claim to this property on the transferred 
ownership and right of the original grantees. These proprie- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



117 



tors met at times far along into the eighteenth century. The}- 
kept a record of their meetings, transacted business in an 
orderly way, and determined matters by majority vote. By 
their records we learn that thej r sold and gave away lands, 
discontinued and laid out highways, and allowed territory to 
the town for public purposes. About the beginning of the 
eighteenth century the persons making up this proprietary, 
as given in their records, are as follows : — 



Thomas Frink, 

Win. Jennison, 

Peter Jennison, 

David Hay nes, 

Peter Haynes, 

Samuel Wright, 

Widow Blandford, 

Jonas Rice, 

Caleb Jonson, 

Samuel Howe, 

Attorney for Mr. Ed. Pelham, 

Thomas Reed, 

John Smith, 

Thomas Godfrey, 

Joseph Moore, 

Benjamin Moore, 

Jonathan Griffin, 

Thomas Brown, 



John Allen, 
Jonas Barnard, 
Joseph Noyes, 
John Grout, 
Jonathan Rice, 
John Adams, 
John Parmenter, 
Elisha Rice, 
Nathaniel Rice, 
Samuel Graves, 
Jonathan Grout, 
Benjamin Parmenter, 
James Reed, 
John Long, 
John Loker, 
John Haynes, 
Hopestill Bent, 
Thomas Brown, Jr. 



The names of the proprietors changed as the years passed 
by. They held their meetings at a private residence, and 
one house is designated on their records as the place where 
they convened for years. Their lands were widely scattered 
throughout the town, and were divided sometimes by lot. 
When a difference existed that was hot settled among them- 
selves, they referred the matter to others. In 1705 a com- 
mittee, consisting of Edward Goffe, Joseph Noyes and Joseph 
Sherman, were chosen by the proprietors for the adjustment 
of matters relating to their division, and the following is the 
report, Sudbury, March 15, 1705 : — 



118 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

"We whose names are underwritten being chosen as a 
committee by the Proprietors of the Common Land in Sud- 
bury to adjust and settle the difference between persons 
drawing their rights in the division of common land either 
by rate or by meadow we the subscribers do agree that he 
that hath right in the common land by his meadow and 
chooses to draw by his rate our opinion is that every person 
who hath a right in ye common by virtue of his meadow and 
chooses to draw by his rate made in the year 1655 that two 
shillings in s d rate shall be equal in proportion with y e right 
of one acre of meadow provided the rate did arise upon their 
own proper estate. 

"Edward Noyes, Joseph Notes, Joseph Sherman." 

Thus at an early date was the land tract first assigned by 
the Colonial Court for the settlement apportioned and set 
apart for private and public purposes. Little, doubtless, did 
those early inhabitants conceive of the changed condition 
that a century would bring forth. Little did they think that 
their meadow paths would become county roads, and their 
cow commons the site of thriving villages. 

A few specimens of the proprietors' records may serve to 
show something of the character and doings of " y e Proprie- 
tors of y e Common and Undivided lands of Sudbury : " — 

" Sudbury, Janary y e 15 th 1705. 

"Att a meeting of The Proprietors of y e Common and 
undivided Land In Sudbury Tho Browne was Chosen mod- 
erator To Cary on y e work of Sd Day By a vote of y e Pro- 
prietors of The Common and undivided Land in Sudbury 
Thomas Prink was Chosen and Sworn, at y c above sd meet- 
ing, To Perform y e office of a Clark for y e proprietor as above 
sd. By Thomas Brown Justes of y e peace. 

"Att y e above s d meeting, voted y l y e proprietors of y e Com- 
mon and undivided land In Sudbury will Lay out all or part 
of Their undivided Lands In Sudbury. Att y e above sd 
meeting voted y 1 Samuell King ** Graves William Jenison 
Are Chosen a Commitey to prosecute Those y' have or Shall 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 119 

Traspass In falling of wood or timber on our undivided 
lands." 

"Sudbury, febuary 18 th 1707-8. 

" Upon the Consideration of the Great Strip and waste of 
y e wood and timber In the Comon or undivided Land In 
Sudbury, and in an espesiall manner In the Lands called the 
Cow Comons, for the prevention hereof we the Commetey 
hereafter named Doe notefy the Proprietors of said Common 
or undivided Land, to meet at the House of Susanna Blan- 
ford on tuesday the 24 th of this Instant, feburary at ten of 
the Clock on said Day, then and there to take sum speedy 
Care for the prevention thereof, By Laying out said Lands 
Either part of it or the whole, Either In said Cow Commons 
or without the Cow commons : or any other Business said 
Proprietors shall see cause to act or Doe when meet on said 
Day." 

"Sudbury October 24 th , 1710 at a meeting of y e Proprie- 
tors Of y e Common and undivided Land in Sudbury which 
meeting was by adjournment from Sept 19 1710 Cap John 
Goodenow Petitioning to y e Proprietors to buy of Them one 
acre of land in sudbury on y e west side of The River being 
y e point of Land between y e road y* Leads to Marlborough 
Northerly: and to Lanham southerly And Esterly of y e Land 
of Thomas Brintnall without any violation to Her Majes a 
Highways on every side." 

" Sudbury February 16 17 ]§ At a meeting of y e Proprie- 
tors Of the Common and undivided Land in Sudbury which 
meeting was by adjorunment from January 12: 1712-13. 
Said Proprietors by a vote Granted to John Brooks and his 
wife During Their Natural Lives having a small Hous on 
the same And is Fenced in : : Shall be and Remaine for 
Ever for the use of the poor To be ordered and Disposed of 
by the selectmen of Sudbury for y e use and Benefit of the 
poor. Likewise said Proprietors Granted y l There should 
be so much Land Added to this Land as to make y e same 

seven acres of the Land near or adjoining to y e same 

Likewise y e Proprietors Granted that There should be Two 
Acres of Land added to the Donation of Ensign Peter Noyes 



120 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

to the Town of Sudbury for the use of the poor. The said 
Two Acres to be Laid out as said David Hayns shall Judge 
most conveniant Joyiring to said Donation. Likewise said 
Proprietors Granted that There shall be a further Addition 
to y e above said Donation of Ensign Noyes and Impowered 
sarj David Hayns to lay out so much Land as he shall think 
needful for flowing and in larging the mill pond." 

"Sudbury May 25 th 1713. At a Meeting of y e Proprie- 
tors of the Common and undivided Land in Sudbury which 
Meeting was by Adjournment from March The 23: 1713 
The Proprietors Chosen and Impowered The Comitte here- 
after Named To view and lay out Two Conveniant Training 
places or Fields in said Sudbury and on each side y e River 
where it may Be most Conveniant and the Comitte are to 
agree with any p r son or p'sons y* owneth y e Land y« is most 
Convenient for said Training places if Land may not Con- 
veniently be found for said uses in y e said undivided Land 
in said Sudbury: the Comitte are Capt Brown C apt Hayns 
Leiut Frink Leiut Hayns Ens Noyes Ens John Balcom 
Quart r Brintnal Quart 1 Carter y e Major part of said Comitte 
are Impowered to act in said affair and to make Return of 
Their Doings in it to y e Proprietors at their next meeting : 
Likewise the Proprietors Adjourned their meeting to the 
14 Day Septemb 1713 to be at y e hous of Mrs Susanah 
Blanford in said Sudbury at Twelve of y e clock Noon on 
said Day." 

At a meeting "of y e Proprietors of The Common and undi- 
vided Land in Sudbury on June y e 14: 1714 = said Pro- 
prietors by a vote Granted y* the Land Layd out on y e East 
side of y e River in said Sudbury for a Training Field shall 
Lye for y e use aforesaid for ever according to y e Plott and 
return of y e Comitte : : Said Proprietors at said meeting by 
a vote Adjourned their meeting untill Monday the 28 of this 
Instant June at Twelve of y e Clock noon of said Day: to be 
at y e Hous of Mrs Susan ah Blanford in said Sudbury." 

The proprietors, at a meeting on April 5, 171"). granted 
by a vote to Ens John Noyes a Liberty To fence in the old 
burying place but yet y e said Noyes his heirs and assigns are 
for ever prohibited and hindered from breaking up said bury- 



HISTOEY OF SUDBURY. 121 

ing Place or seting up any building on the same it being kept 
and reserved for burying ground. 

" Peter Hayns, Moderator." 

" Sudbury July 1715 : Upon The Desire of John Rice Jun 
yt he might have a high way from his hous into the Country 
road To pass to meeting Market & Mill &c: Ave the Sub- 
scribers being Apointed by the Proprietors &c for The 
Squadron have Layd out an Open high way of Two rods 
wide Beginning at the said Rice Land near his Barn on the 
south Side To y e road that leads To Framingham, and 
marked Trees runing from where we began The Cow Comon 
Land To Ensig" Jonathan Rices Lot, so runing through that 
to The South east Corner of Mathew Gibbs his field, and so 
along by his fence to the road upon Lanham Plain, and the 
said Jonathan Rice being present Did Agree, Provided the 
Proprietors would make him Allowance And he would have 
his Allowances Upon the Gravel Hill by his hous. 

" Benj min Moor, i 
-Sam-Wright, ! Comitte '" 

"Sudbury Februaiy 26: 1716: 17: at a meeting of y e Pro- 
prietors of the Comon and undivided Land in Sudbury by 
adjournment from December 18: 1716 voted by the Proprie- 
tors that they will have another Addition as big as their 
Division first Layd out in the Comon and undivided Land 
in Sudbury. And that they will draw lots who shall be y e 
first and so successively till all the Lots are Drawn Pitched 
and Layd out and if any Proprietor after notice given him 
by the Surveyor or Chain . . . By y e Comittes order or y e 
Committe To pitch their Lots Doe neglect or refuse to Doe 
the same, and not pitch Their Lot or Lots in the space of 
Twenty four hours after notice given : That then the Comitte 
shall pitch It and the surveyors shall proceed to the next 
Lot or Lots every man paying the charge before any Record 
be made of it." 

" The proprietors voted that there shall be a Burying 
place Layd out on the west side of The River of one acre 
and a half in y e most Convenient Place : Cap 1 Hayns M r 
Peter Hayns Sarj Benj Moors Lt Hayns Corp 1 Nathan el Rice 



122 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

are the Comitte Chosen by the Proprietors to Doe this 

work.'' 

"At a meeting of the proprietors held 1717 At the house 
of Mrs. Susannah Blanford there is the following record of 
roads granted to be laid out. Highway laid out in the south 
squadron on y e West Side of The River in Sudbury Aprill 
1715 by us the Subscribers A highway from y e Country 
road To Blandford's pond of four rods wide beginning 
Between Sam 11 wrights and Joseph Goodnows and so by 
Li Thomas Brintnalls hous and so by Brooks 5 and over 
green hill and over Pinners wash to y e Said Pond marked 
as the path now runs and So to be Lye and continue. The 
said highway to run up to the Thirty rod highway at the 
new giants This Said highway to be held four rod wide and 
at Benj wrights land bounded by said Land and by wrights 
land where it toucheth : : Also a highway out of said High- 
w ay into Lancaster Road beginning on y e North end of Green 
hill so running Down to Noah Claps Land on the nor west 
corner as the path now goes by the Land of Benj Moor as 
the path goes to Long meadow brook Between y e land of 
said Moor from thence as the path goes to the lower end of 
south meadow into Lancaster road holding four rods wide 
through ; and marked trees all along : Also a highway from 
Brooks 5 Hous into the mill path and so over Goodmans Hill 
as the path goes the Said road to be a bridle road through 
Lt Thorn 5 Brintnells Land by Brooks s for People to pas and 
repass with horse and team without molestation or interrup- 
tion with opening and shutting gates after Them: not being 
allowed to Cutt any wood within said Brintalls Land or 
fences : and to be an open road then to the end running as 
the path goes By the Land of Benj Moor unto the Mill Path 
and to the corner of Thomas Plympton Land and so over 
Goodmans Hill." 

Such are some of "y e Proprietors' " records that have date 
after 1700. But a few specimens have been selected from 
the scores of pages contained in their book. As the pro- 
prietors held their meetings several times in a year, and met 
occasionally more than once a month, their records consid- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 123 

erably accumulated as time passed by. In the present, we 
hear little or nothing of " y e Proprietors' " acts ; tradition is 
silent concerning them ; but old bridle-ways and cart-paths, 
that may be marked by fallen or moss-covered walls, were 
first traced, it may be, by "y e Proprietors'" committee, as 
they laid out a right-of-way to some ancient meadow lot, or 
to some wood-land just divided up. Though the farm boy 
knows little of the lane to the pasture bars, except that the 
herd pass along it, and the farmer little of the history of his 
familiar home, yet "y e Proprietors" may have determined 
the locality of both homestead and lane at a meeting held at 
Susannah Blanford's, where they were accustomed to meet. 
The old oak left alone on the hillside, or that midway stands 
on the plain, may have been " blazed " by strokes of the pro- 
prietors' axe, and served as a boundary of some new allot- 
ment. Thus, though no chronicler may trace out their ways, 
nor map off their ancient domain, various farms in the town 
contain more or less of the many broad acres of "y e Proprie- 
tors' Common and undivided lands." 

After the divisions of the town land, care was taken to 
have them duly recorded. This is indicated by the following 
record from the Town Book : — 

" In a public town meeting, warned for the examination of 
the record of land according to the town grant, which thing- 
was duly performed, all the record both first and last, respect- 
ing the town grant to the inhabitants, were published read 
and approved ; and hereupon the town ordered, that any 
Inhabitant should have liberty to repair to Hugh Griffin our 
town clerk, who upon their desire, shall within three days 
space, give them a true copy of the record of such land as 
they have record of in the town book under his hand which 
shall be a correct title, they paying the clerk for his service." 

It was not only a privilege to have a record of lands pre- 
served, but at an early date it was made compulsory. In 
1641 it was ordered that all who had land laid out should 
bring in a copy of it, that it might be recorded by the twen- 
tieth day of September; and, for neglecting to do this, twenty 
shillings were to be forfeited. 



124 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

We do not propose to engage in the work of locating each 
allotment of Land; this could not be done in many instances, 
and, if undertaken, would be liable to mistakes, so often 
did property change hands in those days. Moreover, the 
boundary marks that were made use of oftentimes were of a 
transient or changeable character, which, though familiar to 
the people of that generation, are now wholly obliterated. 
For example : — 

"Here folio we th the line of the new grants with the mark. 
1 a black oak 2 a while oak, 3 a black oak 4 a black oak 
dead 5 a walnut tree. 6 a, white oak near Jethro's field, 7 a 
lone red oak, [8] in a swamp a dead [red] oak, 9 a white 
ash tree in a run of water, 10 a naked pine tree on rocky 
hill, 11 a chestnut, 12 a white oak, 13 a white oak, 14 a 
white oak, 15 is a dead black oak stands at the westerly 
corner with a heap of stones at the root of the tree. 

" John Go'ODNOW in the name of the rest who went 
last on parambulation." 

(Date 1640.) 

While the early land divisions were being made, reserva- 
tions were also made of lands for pasturage, which it was 
understood were to remain undivided. These lands were 
called "Cow Commons,'' and the record of them explains 
their use. The first was laid out or set apart the 26th of 
November. 1643, and was on the east side of the river. The 
record concerning the location is as follows : — 

"It is concluded by the town that all the lands south- 
ward that lie from the southeast corner of the house-lot 
of Robert Darnill, unto the common cartbridge going to 
Edmund Goodnow's meadow, and so upon a strait line to 
Watertown bound, which lands so granted, for a cow com- 
mon, shall never be reserved or laid down without the con- 
sent of every Inhabitant that hath right in commonage. All 
the land.- we say that are contained within these terms, that 
Is between the houselot of Robert Darnill and the cartbridge 
before specified, southward within the five miles bound first 
granted, down to the great river, and bounded on the side 



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HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 125 

which the extremity of our line bounding Watertown and 
Sudbury, all our land contained within these terms except all 
such land as have been granted out in particular, that is to 
say a neck of upland lying between mill brook and Pine 
brook, also another neck of land with the flat belonging to 
it lying between the aforesaid neck and the great river on 
the other side, also another plat of land that lieth westward 
from them, containing some 3 or 4 score acres and granted 
out to particular men. 

" The Inhabitants of the town are to be limited and sized, 
in the putting in of cattle upon the said common in propor- 
tion according to the quantity of meadow the said inhabi- 
tants are stated in upon the division of the meadow, or shall 
be instated in by purchase hereafter, provided they buy with 
the meadow the liberty of commonage alloted to such a quan- 
tity of acres as shall be purchased. 

" Bryan Pendleton, Walter Hayne, 
"Peter Noyes, William Ward, 

"John Wood, Thomas Jslyn, 

"Edmund Goodnow, Thomas Goodnow, 
" John Reddicke." 

It is somewhat difficult to define the bounds of this cow 
common exactly from the description given in the records, 
but the following may be considered its general outline : 
From Weston bound direct to Wayland centre, thence west 
of south to the river, and thence again direct to Weston 
bound. 

The cow common on the west side was reserved in 1647, 
and is thus described in the Town Book: — 

"It is ordered by the town that there shall be a cow com- 
mon laid out on the west side of the river to remain in per- 
petuity, with all the upland within these bounds, that is to 
say, all the upland that lies within the bound that goes from 
Bridle point through Hopp meadow, and so to the west line, 
in the meadow of Walter Hayne, and all the upland within 
the gulf and the pantre brook to the uper end of the meadow 
of Robert Darnill, and from thence to the west line, as it 
shall be bounded by some men appointed by the town, 



126 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

except it be such lands us are due to men already, and 
shall be laid out according to the time appointed by the 
town. Walter Hayne and John Gronte are appointed to 
bound the common, from Goodman Darnill's meadow to the 
west line." 

The territory which was comprised in this common may 
be outlined, very nearly, by the Massachusetts Central Rail- 
road on the south, the Old Colony Railroad on the west, 
Pantry Brook on the north, and the river on the east. It 
will be noticed that these two commons included most of the 
hilly portions of the town, on both sides of the river; and it 
was doubtless the design of the settlers to reserve for com- 
mon pasturage these lands, because less adapted to easy cul- 
tivation. But in process of time they ceased to be held in 
reserve. More or less controversy subsequently arose about 
what was known as " sizing the commons," and by the early 
part of the next century they were all divided up and appor- 
tioned to the inhabitants ; and now over the broad acres of 
those ancient public domains are scattered pleasant home- 
steads and fertile farms, and a large portion of three consid- 
erable villages, namely, Sudbury, South Sudbury, and Way- 
land Centre. 

Beside the reservation of territory for common pasturage, 
lands were laid out "for the use of the ministry." Two 
such tracts were laid out on each side of the river, consist- 
ing of both meadow and upland, which were let out to indi- 
viduals, the income derived therefrom going towards the 
minister's salary. The lands that were situated on the west 
side have passed from public to private possession, being 
sold in 1817 for $3,200.98. 

Various other portions of land were reserved for public 
use. In 1647 fifty acres of upland about Hop Brook Meadow 
(South Sudbury), "near the cart-path that goes over the 
brook,"' was "to be reserved for the use of the town when 
they shall set a mill upon it." (Sec period 1050-75.) 
Lands situated in various places were assigned for general 
planting fields. (See Chapter VIII.) A training field was 
laid out in 1610, consisting of about nine acres, near the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 127 

present Abel Gleason estate, a portion of it lying southerly 
of Mr. Gleason's house. And the same year there was 
reserved in the space enclosed by the first streets, and lyino- 
in the direction of Mill Brook or the present Concord and 
Way land highway a common pasture "for working oxen." 

Besides the reservations thus made, there were small tracts 
set apart for timber lands or other public purposes. In 1642 
three swamps were reserved ; " one back of the house [lot] 
of Walter Haynes, and by a fresh pond ; " " another lying 
under the north side of a hill called Long Hill lying towards 
Concord ; " and " another swamp that butteth against Con- 
cord line ; also these swamps are reserved in common for the 
use of the inhabitants." 

April 5, 1662, it was " ordered that the town of Sudbury 
will keep the said one hundred and thirty acres of land 
which the said Thomas Noyes did lay down at Doescine 
Hill [Doeskin Hill, Nobscot District] to be a peculiar store 
of timber for the use of the town. Also voted that no 
inhabitant of Sudbury whatsoever shall fell any tree or trees 
Avhatsoever growing upon the said one hundred and thirty 
acres at Doescine Hill upon the forfeiture of 19s. a tree." 
In 1685 the town ordered that there should be "a piece of 
ten or a dozen acres of the best timber land at or about 
Goodman's Hill for a reserve for timber for the town's only 
use." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Miscellaneous. — Laws Concerning Domestic Animals, Birds, Wolves, 
Ammunition and Fire-arms. — Common Planting Fields. — Fence 
Viewers and Fences — Staple Crops. — Meadow Grass; Abundance. 
Time and Price of Cutting, Measures for Improving. — Mode of 
Travel. — Staking the Causeway. — Climate.— Rain and Snow Fall. 

— Occasion of Floods.— Breaking Out Roads. — Care of the Poor.— 
Laws for the Prevention of Poverty Enacted by the Town ; by the 
Province. — Town Action for the Encouragement of Industry. - 
Education. — Morality.— Instruction in the Use of Fire-arms.— 
Tything-men— Stocks -Lecture Day — Fasts. — Baptism of In- 
fants.— Laws Relating to Labor.- Payments Often Made in Produce. 

— Negroes Bought and Sold. — Copy of Bill of Sale. — Schedule of 
Inhabitants a Century and a Half Ago -Respect Shown by the Use 
of Titles: by Gratulation ; by Seating in the Meeting-House. — Care- 
ful of Dues. — Precaution Against Fire. — Borrowing Canoes. - 
Board of the Representatives. — Peculiar Names of Places. 

For the structure that we raise, 

Time is with materials filled ; 
Our to-days and yesterdays 

Are the blocks with which we build. 

Longfellow. 

In early colonial days, and also later in the provincial 
period, laws were enacted and customs existed that now 
look curious and quaint. These laws and customs were the 
result, not only of the characteristic ways of the people, but 
also of the condition and circumstances of the country and 
the times. These changed, new rules and practices came 
into use ; and, as we become accustomed to them, the old 
look far distant, as if belonging to another race. It is our 
purpose in the present chapter to relate some of these cus- 
toms, usages and laws, and also to give an account of some 
incidental matters that belong not only to this but to subse- 

128 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 129 

quent periods. To do this by grouping them in a single 
chapter will make less of a break in the narrative than to 
mention them in chronological order as we proceed with this 
work. 

LAWS RELATING TO DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 

In 1641 it was ordered that " every one that keeps any 
hogs more than his own within one fortnight after this day 
shall rid them out of this town only that for every hog- 
that shall be taken in to be kept by any won more than his 
own for every week shall pay five shillings." In 1643 it was 
ordered " that every inhabitant should drive out his hog 
every morning into the wood, and when they come home at 
night to see them shut up safe or else if they be about the 
street to ring and yoke them." In 1648 it was voted in town 
meeting, " that every swine that shall be found of any man 
out of his own properity without a sufficient yoke and ring, 
after the first of March next, the owner thereof shall forfeit 
for every swine so taken one shilling, and if the swine be 
yoked and not ringed or ringed and not yoked, then six 
pence for any swine so taken, beside all the damage done by 
any such swine." It was also " agreed that all yokes should 
be under the throat of the swine, and so long as the swine 
was high and a rope go up on each side to be fastened above, 
and that swine should not be accounted sufficiently ringed if 
they could root." 

In 1643 it was " ordered by the freemen of the town that 
all the cattle within this town shall this summer not be 
turned abroad without a keeper, and the keeper shall not 
keep any of the herd in any of the great river meadows from 
Bridle Point downwards towards Concord, the intent of the 
order to preserve the river meadows." In 1655 it was 
orderd that "all young new weaned calves shall be herded 
all the summer time." 

It was ordered that "every goat that is taken in any man's 
garden, orchard or green corn shall be impounded and the 
owner shall pay for any such goat so taken 3 pence." 

In 1754 it was voted "that a fine of two shillings be laid 
upon the owner of any dog or dogs that should cause and 



130 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

make any disturbance at either of the meeting-houses on the 
Lord's day, or Sabbath day, one half of the fine was to go to 
complainant and the other half to the use of the town." 

There is a record of a contract made with William Brown 
and Edmund Goodnow for making a pound. It was to be 
six feet or six and a half from the ground to the top of the 
upper rail, the posts a foot square, with seven rails, the upper 
rail pinned at each end. In 1G64 Joseph Noyes was to keep 
the pound, and to have "four pence for every particular 
man's cattle every time they are impounded." The only 
pound, so far as we know, that within a few years belonged 
to the town of Sudbury, was situated at the northeast corner 
of the Sudbury Centre old burying-ground. 

In 1647 the town mark ordered by "y e General Co'te for 
Horses to be set upo n one of y e nere y r t rs " was " S^beriy." 
(Colony Records, Vol. II., p. 225.) 

LAWS CONCERNING BIRDS. 

In 1651 it was ordered by the town "that whoso shall 
take pains by nets, guns, line or otherwise, to destroy com- 
mon offensive blackbirds, whether old or young, that for 
encouragement therein, they shall be paid for every dozen 
of heads of those birds that are brought to any public town 
meeting, six pence in the next town rate." The order was 
to continue five years, and the birds were to be killed in 
town and by the people of the town. The law for destroy- 
ing blackbirds as late as 1700 stood thus : " Voted that what 
Persons of or belonging to Sudbury shall kill any old black- 
birds from the 29 th March 1700, to the last of May 1700, 
shall have a penny per hed." In 1654 a person who killed 
a woodpecker or jay might receive one penny. The same 
year an inhabitant killing a fox within the town precincts 
was allowed one shilling six pence. 

LAWS CONCERNING WOLVES. 

That an order was passed relating to wolves we learn from 
the following notice of its repeal in 1646: "The order for 
wolves, that was formerly made by the town was ten shil- 
lings for any wolf killed within this town, is repealed." 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 131 

Whether the bounty was too great, or the wolves had 
become thinned out, we know not. But, though this 
order was repealed, an order relating to these animals was 
passed afterwards. In 1679 "the town granted in addi- 
tion to the ten shillings which the law gave ten shillings 
more, upon the presentation of the wolf's head to the town 
constable." The wolf was to be killed in town, but it was 
ordered that " all borderers that paid town rates, that killed 
any wolf upon their own lands tho' not within the town 
lands, should have the reward." As this order was after 
King Philip's war, it may be that during its continuance the 
wolves increased. If some of the more exposed estates were 
during that period abandoned, the wild animals of the woods 
might have been left to a freer range than was allowed them 
for a season before the war. A wolf bounty was granted as 
late as 1709, when the town allowed "any of y e inhabitants 
of Sudbury that kills any wolf or wolves above a month old 
within y e Bound of Sudbury shall have ten shillings allowed 
him or them." 

LAWS CONCERNING AMMUNITION AND FIRE-ARMS. 

In 1653, "The town appointed Edmund Goodnow and 
Hugh Griffin to divide the shot and overplus of bullets to 
the inhabitants, what was wanting in shot to make up out of 
the overplus of bullets, and the shot and bullets to be divided 
to each man his due by proportion according to what every 
man paid so near as they can." 

In 1669, " Edmund Goodnow, John Parmenter, Jr., and 
John Stone were to see to the barrel of powder, to the trial 
of it, to the heading it up again, and to take some course for 
the safe bestowing of it." 

The same year the selectmen not only ordered for the pro- 
viding of a barrel of powder, but a hundred pounds and a half 
of musket bullets, and a quarter of a hundred of matches. 
When the third meeting-house was built, it was ordered that 
there should be in it " a conveniant place for the storing of 
the ammunition of the town over the window in the south- 
west gable." About that time the town's stock of ammuni- 
tion was divided and intrusted to persons who would " engage 



132 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

to respond for the same" in case that it was "not spent in 
real service in the resistance of the enemy." 

The Colonial Court at an early date ordered that "the 
town's men in every town shall order that ev'y house, or 
some two or more houses ioyne together for the breeding 
of salt peetr i' some out house used for poultry or the like." 
The duty of looking after this matter for Sudbury was 
assigned to Ensign Cakebread. The saltpetre thus obtained 
was°for the manufacture of gunpowder. In 1645, Sudbury 
was "freed from y e taking further care about salt peeter 
houses : : : in answer to their petition." 

In 1642 the Court made more stringent the laws previously 
existing against selling fire-arms to the Indians, exacting a 
forfeiture of £10 for the sale to them of a gun, and £5 for a 
pound of powder. 

In 1643 the Court ordered " that the military officers in 
every town shall appoint what arms shall be brought to the 
meeting-house on the Lord's days, and other times of meet- 
ing, and to take orders at farms and houses remote that 
ammunition bee safely disposed of that an enemy may not 
possess himself of them." 

COMMON PLANTING FIELDS. 

In the town's earlier years it was the practice to plant fields 
in common ; and repeatedly in the records are these common 
fields referred to. These planting places were situated in dif- 
ferent parts of the town ; between the old North and South 
street in the neighborhood of the Gleasons, also between Mill 
Brook and Pine Brook along "the Plain" in the vicinity of 
the Drapers, and towards the south bound of the town, near 
the new bridge. In 1642, five general planting fields are 
spoken of. Various reasons suggest themselves for this 
planting in common. The "plow lands" that were easily 
worked were comparatively few as late as 1654, as Johnson 
states in his " Wonder Working Providence." (See Chap. I.) 
When there was a large open space of easy cultivation, it 
was better to make of it one field, that several might share 
in its benefits. Moreover, these fields required vigilant 
watching to protect them from marauding beasts and birds ; 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 133 

the several owners of the crops could stand guard by turns, 
and so many hands make light work ; sometimes, also, it 
would be necessary to join teams. Besides these general 
fields, there were also i4 men's particular fields." 

FENCE VIEWERS AND FENCES. 

A good degree of attention was early bestowed by the town 
on its fences. Several surveyors were appointed each year 
to look after them ; and although the office of " fence viewer" 
has now gone into disuse, it was once one of considerable 
responsibility. As early as 1655, " Surveyors were appointed 
to judge of the sufficiency of the fences about men's particu- 
lar properties in cases of damage and difference." We read 
in the records that John Maynard and John Blanford were, 
a certain year, to attend to the fences "of the field and the 
cornfield on the other side of the way from the pond to the 
training place." " Edmund Rice and Thomas Goodenow for 
all the fences of cornfields from new bridge southward within 
the town bound." 

In 1674, " The work of fence viewing on the west side of 
the river was assigned to Serjeant : : Haynes, Thomas Reed 
and Edward Wright. These were appointed surveyors of 
all the field fences on the west side of the great river of the 
town and Lanham Penobscott new mill." The persons ap- 
pointed to view the fences, likewise, had power to enforce 
their orders. In 1641, " It was ordered that those men who 
were deputed to look after the fences shall have power to 
distrain for every rod of fence not lawful, half a bushel of 
corn, the one-half to him that looks to the fence the other 
half to the town." 

In 1666 the records state that " Persons were appointed 
surveyors for this year over the fields where Henry Loker 
dwells, and the field fences, where Solomon Johnson dwell- 
eth." Field fences are mentioned as being on the south side 
of Pine Brook, also as being between Mill Brook and Pine 
Brook ; also, " upon the hill from the little pond by the 
dwelling house of John Blanford unto Mill brook." Sev- 
eral kinds of fences were used. One kind was made by 
ditching. It was ordered, in 1671, "That all the great river 



134 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

meadows shall be fenced, that is to say that all the proprie- 
tors of the great river meadows shall fence the heads or both 
ends of the meadows, and where it may he necessary, to have 
a ditch made from the upland to the river at the charge of the 
squadron that shall lie on both sides of the said ditch accord- 
in- to their benefit." For the upland, also, this mode of 
fencing was sometimes used. By the roadside, about half 
way between Wayland Centre and the Plain, are distinct 
traces of one of these ancient fences. 

Hedges were sometimes made use of. Mention is made of 
fences that were to be made up tk of good rails well set three 
feet and one-half high or otherwise good hedge well staked 
or such fences as would be an equivelant the fences to be 
attended to by April 1 st if the frost give leave if not then 
ten days after." After a certain date all the field fences 
were to be closed, as is indicated by the following: "It is 
ordered, that all the fences that are in general fields, in this 
town of Sudbury, shall be shut up by the 10th May or else 
to forfeit for every rod unfenced five shillings." 

STAPLE CROPS. 
Some of the staple crops were Indian corn, — sometimes 
called by the one word - Indian," — rye, barley, wheat, peas 
and oats. Hemp and llax were also raised. 

Hay was early a great staple article; this, as we have 
noticed, the river meadows bountifully produced. To such 
an extent did this crop abound, that the settlers not only 
kept their own stock, but they received cattle from abroad. 
(See Chapter I.) 

The time for cutting the meadow grass is indicated by such 
statements as these. When Sergant John Rutter hired the 
Ashen swamp meadow, " he was to cut the grass by the 10 th 
of July, or else it shall be lawful for any other man to cut 
the said meadow." He was to pay for it that year Is. and 6 
pence. Such prices as the following are also mentioned : two 
bushels of wheat and one bushel of Indian corn for Long 
Meadow. Strawberry Meadow was let out the same year, 
1667, for one bushel of wheat: also the minister's meadow 
in Sedge Meadow was lei out tor eight shillings to be paid in 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 135 

Indian corn ; Ashen Swamp Meadow was let out the same 
year to Ensign John Grout for three shillings, to be paid 
one-half in wheat, the other in Indian corn. The meadow 
on the southeast side of the town was let out to Henry Rice 
for a peck of wheat. These, we think, were probably com- 
mon meadows of the town, and let out from year to year. 

Measures were taken from time to time for improving the 
meadow lands. In 1645, a commission was granted by the 
colonial authorities (Colony Records, Vol. II., p. 99) "for 
y e btt r & impvng of y e medowe ground vpon y e ryver running 
by Concord & Sudberry." Later, also in 1671, a levy of 
four pence an acre was to be made " upon all the meadow 
upon the great river for the clearing of the river; that is, 
from Concord line to the south side, and to Ensign Grout's 
spring.'' 

MODE OF TRAVEL. 

The travel by vehicle in those early times was, for the 
most part or wholly, by means of the cart, as we infer from 
the mention of this term in connection with bridges and 
ways ; as where the Court orders that Sudbury should 
make cartways, and as in a contract for a cart-bridge over 
the river, and a cart-bridge at Lanham. This was probably 
a clumsy conveyance, and used for farm work and freight, 
rather than for passenger travel. 

Travelers probably went on horseback or on foot ; in early 
times the pillion was used, by which two could ride on one 
beast. To keep people from danger in passing over the 
causeway, stakes were arranged along the roadside, and we 
read about 1742 of staking the long causeway for a guide. 
In 1730, the following article is found in a warrant : " To see 
if the town will take care and order that the fences on the 
north side of the Long causeway be taken or struck down so 
as to prevent the snow from drifting thereon." 

CLIMATE. 

The following records will serve to indicate the character 
of the climate at that period compared with the present. It 
was at one time ordered by the town that the fences should 



136 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

be set bv the 1st or the 10th of April. In 1642, "it was 
ordered that no cattle were to be found on the planting fields 
and all the fences were to be up by March 1st." 

Tradition says the snow-fall was formerly greater than at 
present. If this is so, the fact may be due to the removal of 
a great quantity of timber. The same cause might also lessen 
the fall of rain. Greater rain-falls and the retention of mois- 
ture in the vast forest tracts may have enlarged the small 
streams, and rendered them more efficient for mill -power 
than they are now. The same cause may have made exten- 
sive river floods. This may also explain the fact that for- 
merly there were freshets, notwithstanding the absence of 
dams along the river course. 

P>nt if the temperature was ordinarily about the same as it 
is now, there were seasons of unusual severity. 

" In y e year 1667 from y e middle of November until y e mid- 
dle of March was the tereblest winter for continuance of frost 
and snow and extremety of cold that ever was remembered 
by any since it was planted with English ; and was attended 
with terebell conghs and colds and fever which passed many 
out of time into eternity, and also through want and scarcity 
of fother multitudes of sheep and cattle and other creatures 
died. It is a duty incumbent on all those that call themselves 
the people of God to consider his great works and the opera- 
tions of his hands. John Goodnow Clerk." 

" Feb. 7, 1763. There has been no rain this Winter nor 
sence the snow came, and the springs is low and they grind 
but two bushels in a day at this mill, the snow is on a leavil 
3 foot and 3 inches in open land." (Stearns' Collection.) 

With great snow-falls came the necessity of " breaking out 
the roads." In early times this was done with ox-teams. 
Most of the farmers had one or more " yokes of oxen " or 
" steers/' Perhaps a dozen of these were attached to a stout 
ox-sled, and thus the roads were ploughed through. Often 
a plow was attached to the sled's side, the more effectually 
to widen the path. Sometimes strips of road were abandoned 
entirely for the season where the way was unusually blocked. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 137 

and the fields used instead. A very merry morning it was 
for the men and boys when all hands were called outfor this 
work. The train starts out with a single ox-team, but is 
joined by others as house after house is reached until rein- 
forcements make a long train. 

CARE OF THE POOR. 

In 1649, it was ordered that certain persons « have power 
to speak with Mrs. Hunt, about her person, house [or home] 
and estate, and to take some care for her relief." The fol- 
lowing V ote was recorded years afterwards : that " Mrs Hunt 
shall have fifty shillings, out of a rate to be made this present 
February 1665, this in respect of her poverty." In 1669 
[or 7] Mrs. Hunt was to have fifty shillings pension paid out 
of the town rate. In 1673, "because of the poverty of her 
famely, it was ordered that Mr. Peter Noyes do procure and 
bring sergeon Avery from Dedham to the Widow Hunt of 
this town to inspect her condition to advise, and direct, and 
administer to her relief, and cure of her distemper." Ten 
pounds were also to be put « into the hands of Peter Noyes 
with all speed to assist Mrs. Hunt with." 

About 1663, a contract was made with Thomas Rice to 
keep a person a year, -if he live as long," for which he was 
to have five pounds sterling; and if the person kept had any, 
or much sickness during the year, the town was to give Mr. 
Rice "satisfaction to content, for any physic, attendance or 
trouble." In 1663, £7 were added to the present rate, " for 
the use of Thomas Tfling's sickness, and to pay for intend- 
ance of him." In 1664, John White was "exempted from 
paying his present rate to the town, and also unto the minis- 
ter." Dr. Loring, in his diary, gives repeated instances of 
collections taken for the afflicted in the time of his ministry; 
as, for example, in 1750: "Lord's day, had a contribution 
for Thomas Saunders, laboring under a severe and incurable 
cancer; collected £16-8-0." In 1757 or '59, "had a contri- 
bution for our brother, Tristam Cheeny. £31 was gathered." 
About 1762, October 7th, public Thanksgiving: "A contri- 
bution was made for the wife of Asahel Knight of Worcester. 
£18 was collected." 



lg g HISTOKY OF SUDBURY. 

LAWS FOR THE PREVENTION OF POVERTY. 

But, while the people, as shown by such instances, were 
generous to the deserving poor, as a town they took stnn- 
*e„t measures for the prevention of poverty. 11ns ,t did 
both by discouraging its importation, and by encouraging 
what tended to thrift. In the records we find the following: 
"In consideration of the increase of poor people among us, 
... as also considering how many poor persons from othei 
'towns come in to reside, Ordered, That not any one who 
owned houses or lands in town should either let or lease anj 
of them unto any strangers that is not at present a town- 
dweller, without leave or license first had and obtained of 
the selectmen in a selectmen's meeting or by leave had and 
obtained in a general town-meeting or othenv.se shall stake- 
down depositee, and bin d over a sufficient estate unto the 
seT ctmen of Sudbury, which said estate so bound over unto 
he said selectmen, that shall be in their the sa.d selectmen s 
judgment sufficient to have and secure the town of S, dim v 
llessfion. any charge that may so come by the saul land. 
s leased, and if any person notwithstanding this order shaU 
case any houses or lands unto any stranger as above said 
tlmut Usence and giving good security as above sau Is haU 
for every week's entertainment of a stranger into Ins houses 
or lalds forfeit the sum of 19 shillings 6 pence to the town 
Sudbury; and any person bringing a stranger presummg 
to come as a truant contrary to order as above said, shall fo. 
ev ery week's residence forfeit 19 shillings G pence to the 

town of Sudbury." i, f n ,.p 

I» 1688, Mathew Rice was to he warned to come before 
the town clerk, for admitting to some part of his land 
Thol Hedley, who brought his wife and child. Thorn 
Hedley was also to be warned to quit the own. Another 
— was censured for « taking in and harboring of Chris- 
Ch Petingal, who is rendered to be a person of a vicious 
v nrc and evil tongue and behavior, and otherwise discour- 
se,!"!,." In 1692-3 a law was enacted by the prov- 
^by winch towns were allowed to wan. away strangers 
f he warning was not given within three months, then the 



.HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 139 

parties so far became residents, that, if in need, they were to 
receive assistance from the town. If persons warned did not 
leave within fourteen days, the constable could remove them 
by law. The town repeatedly made use of this power. 

ENCOURAGEMENT OF INDUSTRY. 

About 1663 the town voted to grant "Mr. Stearns of 
Charlestown, ironmonger and blacksmith," certain meadow 
lands, and " firewood for his family use, and wood for coals 
for to do the smithy work." He was also to take timber in 
the commons " to build his house and shop and fence." A 
little later Joseph Graves was allowed to take timber to 
build a house, and part of the land formerly given him to 
erect a smith shop upon. Also there was granted to Rich- 
ard Sanger " six acres of meadow, on the west side of the 
river, upon the condition he stay amongst us to do our 
smith's work for four years, the time to begin the twenty- 
fourth day of August, 1646." 

EDUCATION. 

The following records afford some information concerning 
early educational advantages in Sudbury. In 1664 "the 
town promised to give answer at the next meeting whether 
or no they will accommodate Mr. Walker [with] any lands 
towards his encouragement to keep a free school in Sud- 
bury." We infer that Mr. Walker was encouraged in his 
project by the following report on educational matters ren- 
dered in 1680 : — 

"And as for schools, tho' there be no stated school in this 
town, for that the inhabitants are so scattered in their dwell- 
ings that it cannot well be, yet such is the case that, by hav- 
ing two school dames on each side of the river, that teacheth 
small children to spell and read, which is so managed by the 
parents and governors at home, and prosecuted after such 
sort as that the selectmen who distributed themselves did 
within three months last past so examine families, children, 
and youth, both as to good manners, orderly living, chate- 
chizing, and reading, as that they returned from all parts a 
comfortable good account of all these matters, and render 



|40 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

then, crowing in several families beyond expectation, rarely 
reprovable anywhere, encouraging in most places, and in 
others very commendable, so as that the end is accomplished 
hitherto. And for teaching- to write or cypher, here is Mr. 
Thomas Walker, and two or three others about tins town. 
that do teach therein, and are ready to teach all others that 
need, if people will come or send them." 

From the report rendered the court for the county of Mid- 
dlesex, in reference to education in morals, we infer that 
attention was early turned to that matter. In 1655 persons 
were -appointed for to take pains for to see into the general 
families in town, to see whether children and servants are 
employed in work, and educated in the ways of God and in 
the grounds of religion, according to the order of the General 
Court " The same year John How was -appointed by the 
Pastor and Selectmen to see to the restraining from the prof- 
anation of the Lord's day in time of public exercise. 

The stocks were employed as a means of punishment. In 
1651, "John Rutter promised to mend the stocks. Ihey 

i , . lofo .o Ipa-st as 1722, when it was voted 
were used as late, at leabi, as, n^i HUl 

»by y e town to grant five shillings to bye to pad Locks 
for y< pound and stocks." This old-time appliance was for 
a period near the meeting-house, as the records state that, in 
1681, " Samuel How was to build a new pair of stocks, and 
was - to set them up before the meeting-house." In subse- 
quent years, tything-mcn were appointed, and duly sworn 
before the selectmen, as the law directed. All these agencies 
were made use of to maintain a wholesome morality, lhat 
they succeeded in accomplishing something, the- following 
from the foregoing report of 1680 indicates: « And the select- 
men having also been made acquainted that the court expects 
their inspection touching persons who live from under family 
government, or after a dissolute or disorderly manner, to the 
dishonor of God, or corrupting of youth, the selectmen of 
the town as above having personally searched and enquired 
into all families and quarters, in and about this town,do 
return this answer, that they find none such amongst us 

Not only were the youth in colonial days instructed m 
intellectual and moral things, but also in the use of arms. 



HTSTORY OF SUDBURY. 141 

In 1645, " it was ordered that the youth from ten to sixteen 
should be instructed upon y e usual dayes in y e exercise of 
amies, as small guns, halfe pike, bows and arrows, provided 
the parent did not object." 

It was expected in early times that the children of believ- 
ing parents would be presented in baptism. These children 
were usually baptized the Sabbath following their birth, and, 
if born on Sunday, sometimes on the day of their birth. 

Besides the ordinary Sabbath exercises, religious services 
were held on some secular day of the week, which was called 
"Lecture Day." A Friday afternoon meeting was held in 
the Sudbury Orthodox Church until about the beginning of 
the last quarter century. In 1652, when a bargain was 
made with John Goodnow to beat the drum twice every 
Sabbath, he was also to beat it for service on "Lecture 
Day." (See Chapter VI.) "Training Days" were sup- 
posed to be opened and also closed with prayer. Fast days 
were more frequent than now. In some of the New England 
towns they were observed at the haying and planting" sea- 
sons, and at the close of the harvest. Private fasts^were 
sometimes observed. As late as July 4, 1749, there was a 
fast observed at the Widow Winch's, "on account of one 
of her daughters having a cancer. Mr. Mudge prayed and 
Mr. Stone preached." (Extracts from Loring's Diary.) 
Special seasons of prayer were also sometimes observed. 
"Apr. 10th, 1757, Lord's day, the church voted that they 
would spend a part of the last Thursday of every month in 
extraordinary Prayer to God, on account of the calamitous 
war with our enemies the French." 

LAWS RELATING TO LABOR. 
It was ordered "that one shall take for mowing by the 
acre fourteen pence for every acre, or one and thirty pence a 
day." It was " ordered that all Carpenters, Bricklayers and 
thatchers, shall have one and twenty pence for a day's work, 
and common laborers eighteen pence a day." It was " ordered 
that a yearly covenanted servant, the best of them, shall take 
but five pounds for a year's service, and maid servants, the 
best, shall take but fifty shillings the year's service." As 



142 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

late as 1751, the town voted that "for highway work, eight 
hours be accounted for a day's work, and two shillings shall 
be the price of a day's work, one shilling for a yoke of oxen, 
three pence for a good cart." 

Commercial relations were not always carried on by pay- 
ments in money, but sometimes wholly or in part in produce. 
Edmund Rice, in 1654, "for service as deputy," was to have 
-six pounds to be paid in wheat at John Parmenters senior, 
and so much more as shall pay seven pence a bushell for the 
carraige of it, to be paid within one week after next Michel- 
mas." For work on the meeting-house, about the year 1688, 
"he was to have country pay, at country price." The country 
pay was to be "in good sound merchantable Indian corn, or 
rye, or wheat, or barley, or malt, or peas, or beef, or pork, or 
work." At a meeting of the selectmen, Oct. 25, 1678, it was 
ordered that -Mr. Peter Noyes, Peter King.' and Thomas 
Stevens or any of them are appointed to collect of the Inhab- 
itants of this town what may be wanted of the sum granted 
by any person or persons towards the new college at Cam- 
bridge in building according to an order by the Gen C * : *. 
This being attended to, the town received its discharge, of 
which the following is a copy: — 

" Discharge. Received then of several persons of the town 
of Sudbury several parcels of corn amounting to (with the 
transportation from S. to Cam.) the full sum of what was 
there subscribed to contribute to the new building for the 

college. 

» I say received by me, William Manning. 

Sometimes payments were promised either in produce or 
money, as. in 1696, Benjamin Parmenter was to sweep the 
meeting-house, from April 1 of that year to April 1 of the 
next year, " for ten bushells of Indian corn, or twenty shil- 
lings in money." Whether Mr. Parmenter was to take which 
he°chose, or the party engaging him was to give which they 
chose, is not stated. Sometimes the produce was rated, or 
paid for town rates, in accordance with what the produce 
was rated or paid for in county rates; as, in 1673, it was 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 143 

ordered that "all corn or grain, paid into the towns rate for 
this year, shall be paid in at such prices as the county rate is 
paid in at for the year." We conclude that the town had 
the liberty to establish the value of produce that was to pay 
the town rates ; as, for the year 1686, wheat was rated at 
five shillings per bushel, peas at four shillings, oats at two 
shillings, Indian corn at two shillings nine pence. 

SERVANTS. 

Jan, 9, 1653, " it was determined that the land last granted 
to the town by the court shall be divided to the inhabitants, 
according to their several estates and families, counting the 
family to be husband, wife, children and servants as men 
have, that they have either bought or brought up." In Mr. 
Loring's Diary is the following, dated 1758, March 1: "Died 
Toby, negro servant of Col. Brown." 

In Vol. LXXIX., p. 217, State Archives, is a petition 
from Richard Heard, to the effect that he had a negro man 
in His Majesty's service; that he was in Captain Nixon's 
company, and was taken sick in Deerfield on his way home, 
and remained there sick for a long time ; and that he had to 
take his two horses and go after him. He asks that the 
court will take his case into consideration ; and the commit- 
tee reported " twenty-five shillings in full to be paid to Col. 
John Noyes for the use of the Petitioner." 

^It is stated (Temple's History of Framingham) that in 
1733 Thomas Frost of Framingham bought of Jonathan 
Smith of Sudbury, for sixty pounds current money, a negro 
man named Gloster, aged about thirty years. Rev. Mr. 
Swift of Framingham disposed of five slaves by his will, one 
of whom, named Nero, he gave to his son-in-law, Ebenezer 
Roby of Sudbury. In 1764, Josiah Richardson of Sudbury 
sold a negro girl named Phebe to Elizabeth P>alch of Fram- 
ingham, and the following is the bill of sale : — 

Know All Men by these Presents, that I, Josiah Richardson Jun. of 
Sudbury in the county of Middlesex, Gentleman, for and in considera- 
tion of the sum of 1 Pound G shillings and 8 pence, lawful money, to me 
in hand well and truly paid at the ensealing hereof by Elizabeth Balch 
of Framingham Widow, the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, 



144 [UKTOUY OF SUDBURY. 

and for the consideration thereof, Do Sell to the said Elizabeth Balch 
and to her heirs and assigns forever, A Negro female Child named 
Phebe, of about two years old, with her wearing apparel she now hath. 
And I the said Josiah covenants to and with the said Elisabeth Balch 
and her heirs and assigns that the said Negro Child is my slave For 
Life, and that I have good right to sell and convey her in manner afore- 
said'for the term of her natural life ; and that by force and virtue hereof 
the said Elisabeth Balch shall hold her the said Phebe for a slave for 
the term of her natural life. In Witness whereof, I the said Josiah 
Richardson Jun., have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of 
August 1764. Josiah Richardson, Jun. [Seal.] 

In presence of Samuel Jonv-s. 

Colored people were sometimes held in high esteem by the 
town's people, as is indicated by an entry made in the diary 
of Rev. Israel Loring., April 30, 1755, where he speaks thus 
of Simeon, a negro who was born and bred in his household, 
and a short time before had arrived at the age of freedom : 
"April 30th, 1755. This morning Simeon was taken ill of 
colic, but soon recovered. May 10th, Simeon died aged 21. 
Altho' he partly recovered he grew worse again. He was 
greatly beloved by the family and has drowned us in tears. 
In the evening we committed the remains of Simeon to the 
grave. A great number of the congregation attended the 
funeral." Mr. Loring preached a sermon on his death the 
Sabbath following, from Psa. lxxxix. 48. 

A century and a half ago but few negroes were living in 
Sudbury, as is shown by the following statement: — 

Number of white people in town, on both 

sides of the river . • • .1,745 

Number of negroes, males . • lo 

Number <>f negroes, females . .12 

Total number of blacks . . • .27 

(Memoirs of Sudbury.) ' 

In early times titles were quite commonly used: and terms 
designating military positions, such as "corporal," ^cap- 
tain?' "ensign," "sergeant" or "sargeant," are not infre- 
quently met with on the town records. The terms "Mr. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 145 

and " Mrs." are seldom found, except when applied to the 
minister and his wife. The term " esquire " is almost un- 
known. The term "goodman" was in quite common use. 
It was employed to designate a person of excellent charac- 
ter, rather than one of exceptional gentility. The folio wine- 
is its use in a record of the Town Book dated 1640: "It is 
ordered by the town that Goodman Hayne shall have the 
remainder of the meadow which Mr. Brown the Pastor 
divided up, except one acre that is to be divided between 
Goodman Knight and Goodman Hayne, if it be there." 

But not alone by the application of titles was there a rec- 
ognition of merit and respect shown where it was due. In 
1666, the Town Book states, " We have chosen, constituted 
and appointed our trusty friends Mr. Joseph Noyes, Sar- 
geant John Grout and Corporal John Rutter to read, issue 
and determine all matters of difference ensuing about suffi- 
ciency of fence." It was customary to "gratulate" some- 
times for service done for the public. In a single list in the 
Town Book are the following persons, who were " gratu- 
latecl " for some service done by them, and the quantity of 
land o'iven : — 



Brian Pendleton, 


14 acres 


meadow. 




George Munning, 


10 » 


tc 


10 of .upland. 


Walter Haynes, 


10 " 


IC 


10 


John Parmenter, Sr., 


10 " 


t( 




Edmund Brown, 


15 " 


t( 


20 of upland. 


Peter Noyes, 






20 " 


John Bent, 


4 acres 


meadow, 


6 


Edmund Goodnow, 


6 " 


a 




William Ward, 


12 " 


a 





Another way of showing respect was in the appointment 
of seats in the meeting-house. The following rule was 
made in 1687-8: "The most considerable rule for seating 
of persons in the meeting-house (the new one) shall be by 
what they pay to the building thereof, excepting in respect 
to some considerable persons as to age and other considera- 
ble qualifications." 



146 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The following records show that the town was not care- 
less in collecting its dues : » November, 1670, " Ordered that 
Jon. Stanhope do see that the minister's rate be duly paid, 
and in case any neglect or refuse to pay their proportions to 
said rates when due, he is appointed and impowered by the 
town to summons such persons before a magistrate, there to 
answer for their neglect," In 1683-4 it was voted, "That 
whereas certain proprietors and inhabitants of the town have 
neglected to pay their proportions to the minister's rate, and 
added to the evil by not paying the proportion due upon the 
two six months" rates made since, to the dishonor of God, 
contempt of his worship, unrighteousness to their neighbors, 
as if they " * ' slyly intended they should pay their rates 
for them again, and to the disturbance in and damage of this 
town, after so much patience used, and to the end this town 
may not longer be baffled ; ; : In his majesties name you 
are therefore now required forthwith to [collect] by distress 
upon the monies, neat cattle sheep or other beasts, corn, 
grain, hay, goods or any other estate movable (not dis- 
allowed by law) you can find so much of each person herein 
named so greatly transgressing, the several sum or sums set 
off against each man's name.' 

In the early times there were people living on the town's 
border, who were designated -farmers," and their estates 
were called "farms/' It was probably with reference to 
these that the following order was passed in 1677-8 : " All 
persons bordering upon this town and who live and dwell 
near unto the precinct thereof shall pay (not only to the 
ministry but also) to all town rates, for that they belong to 
us. they shall be assessed their due proportions, as all other 
inhabitants of this town are, and in case of any of them 
refusing to pay, the same shall be levied by distress." 

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE. 
An order was issued whereby every householder was to 
have a ladder sufficiently lung to reach the top of the house. 
For non-compliance with this act a person was subject to a 
fine of ten shillings- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 147 

BORROWING CANOES. 

It was, in 1648, voted by the town " that whosoever : : : 
shall take away any man's canoe without the leave of the 
owner shall forfeit for every default so made two shillings." 

BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

On page 157 of the records it is recorded that " the sum 
of three pounds shall be added to the town rate for the pay- 
ment of our deputie's diet at Hugh Drurys at Boston during 
his attendance at the Genral Court." Years later, in 1679^ 
Peter Noyes « openly declared at that town-meeting that he 
freely gave to the town Ins time, charge, diet, in and about 
his service at the fore said session of the General Court 
which the town thankfully accepted." 

PAYMENT AND PROTECTION OF PROPERTY. 

While the people were busy in the formation of the new 
plantation and dividing and improving their lands, they were 
careful to provide means for the payment and protection of 
them. The records state, May 26, 1648, " Walter Hayne 
and Hugh Griffin are appointed to go down to the Governor 
and Magistrate to confirm the bargain of land now bought 
of Goodman's, and to take course for the payment of Good- 
mans, and they shall be paid for their labor." 

Sept. 11, 1648: "It is agreed upon by the town that the 
five pound that is paid to Goodemans shall be raised only by 
the meadows as every man is possessed of." 

" It is also agreed that all meadows that are given by way 
of gratulation shall have; right in commonage as the meadows 
which are first, second, and third division of meadow, and 
that for the raising of the rate for the payment of the last 
purchase of Goodman's all meadows shall pay at one price." 

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 

In 1661 the town appointed men "to agree with Robert 
Proctor of Concord, about his trespass of burning up our 
pine for making tar." They were to sue him if they could 



148 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

not agree. In 1(371, James Adams was to have liberty to 
feed his cattle on Sudbury bounds, and " to take old and dry 
wood that shall be upon the ground, the said Adams to pre- 
vent any trespass by Concord herds, or cattle, also in our 
wood and timber, forth with to give notice to the town." 

PECULIAR NAMES OF PLACES. 

Peculiar names have been attached to many places in Sud- 
bury, which have been preserved, some by record and some 

by usage. 

One of these is " Lanham." It is mentioned in connection 
with a deed as early as 1GG6. (See Liber III., pp. 233 and 
234, Registry of Deeds, Cambridge.) The deed mentioned a 
piece of land "lying and being on the west side of the Ham- 
Lett called Lanham." (See Chapter III., sketch of Thomas 
Read ; also Chapter VI.) 

"Lowance" is the name of a stream which enters Mill 
Brook between South Sudbury and Lanham bridge. Proba- 
bly it was first applied to the meadows along its banks. It is 
found as early as 1666 (Liber III., p. 233, Registry of Deeds, 
Cambridge). It is doubtless a contraction of "allowance,' 
which term was used to designate lands that were allowed 
the settlers in the territorial divisions. Sometimes an allow- 
ance of land was given in one place to make up for deficiency 
of quality or quantity in another. 

The term " Pantry;' applied to one of the school districts, 
is found in connection with a land sale in 1657. (Liber III., 
p. 7, Middlesex Registry of Deeds.) In the document referred 
to it is used in connection with both the brook and meadow. 
This term may have been derived from the words -pine' 
and " tree ; " and this theory receives favor from the fact 
that in the Town Book, page 98, it is spelled - Pantree." 

- Piners Wash," or ••Pinners Wash," was a term formerly 
applied to the brook above South Sudbury, commonly called 
- Wash Brook." It occurs repeatedly, both on the Town 
Book and the Proprietors' Book. The following record is 
, lkt .„ from the former, dated 1779: "To see if the town will 
discontinue a town road laid out through the enclosures of 
Ensign Josiah Richardson over the ' Mill Brook ' or ' Piners 




THE GOODNOW LIBRARY. SO. SUDBURY 
See page 28. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 149 

Wash' from being an open way and leave it a bridle way as 
formerly." This motion "passed in the negative." The road 
here referred to is that over Hayden's Bridge. We have 
found nothing definite by which to determine the origin of 
this name. We conjecture that this brook passed through a 
pine district, and that by some connection of the brook with 
the trees, or with those who may have lived or worked among 
them, who were perhaps called "Piners," the name may have 
come into use. « Wash Brook " doubtless came from this 
term. 

" Indian Bridge." This is supposed to have crossed West 
Brook, as the lower part of Lanham Brook is called, between 
Sand Hill and Heard's Pond. (See Chapter VI.) The 
term is repeatedly found in the town records. On" page 52 
is the statement that Mr. Herbert Pelham was to have " all 
the land lotts of meadow and upland joining to his farm 
which lies between the Indian Bridge and the utmost bound 
of. the great pond joining upon a short line from the Indian 
Bridge to the extremity of the pond, also twenty acres of 
upland joining to the Indian Bridge to the land granted to 
Mr. Herbert Pelham, and going thence downward to the hill 
on the west side the great pond, and west ward joineth to 
the land of W m Pelham, and is parted from the west meadow 
by land reserved for a highway." Jan. 13, 1667, the town 
appointed a committee "to set a substantial mark where the 
old Indian Bridge was in West Meadow." 

The word "sponge" was in early use as applied to local- 
ities. In 1646, "John Rutter was to have a sponge of 
meadow;" and the following is also a record of early date in 
which the word is used: "To Brian Pendleton 14 acres of 
meadow lying in a sponge upon the west side of the greal 
meadow over against Munning's point." This word was 
formerly used in connection with real estate in New Eng- 
land, but long since ceased to be so used. Says Dr. Green, 
" It was a local word in England, used in Suffolk, and meant 
an irregular, narrow projecting part of a field, whether planted 
<>r in grass." 

Hie term "Honey Pot Brook" is found. In 1778, Mr. 
Jonathan Puffer of Stow was released from rates on condi- 



150 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

tion "that he keep the causeway and bridge over Honey Pot 
brook from Stow line to the eastward of said causeway in 
good repair for ten years." 

3 The term "Cedar Croft" is spoken of in papers from 1700 
to 1725 in connection with the homestead of Thomas Bryant 
(Wayland). (State Archives, Vol. XVII., p. 520.) The 
same term is found in Liber III., p. 233, date 1666, Middle- 
sex Registry of Deeds, spelled "Cedar Crought." 

Another term long and frequently used is " Bridle Point,*" 
spelled " Bridell Poynt" in a deed dated 1666. (Liber III., 
pp. 232 and 272.) This is a point of land at the southwest 
end of Braman's Hill, near the wooden bridge on the new 
road from Wayland to Sudbury. 

The term "Gulf" is used as early as 1647. " Granted to 
the Pastor to lay down his third division in the Gulf." This 
term is applied to the meadows that lie along the banks of 
the easterly part of Pantry Brook. 

" Doeseine Hill " is mentioned in 1661. It probably means 
Doeskin Hill. Thomas Noyes had one hundred and thirty 
acres of land, the second lot in the new grant near this hill. 

The term "Goodman's Wigwam Hill" is found in Book II., 
Town Records; also the term "Wigwam Hill" is found in 
the first part of Book I. 

Other terms are "Rocky Plain" (Sudbury Centre) ; "Pine 
Plain " (in the Draper neighborhood, east part of Wayland) ; 
"World's End" (in the Gulf neighborhood, northeast part 
of Sudbury); " Haynes' Island" (northeast side of Gulf 
Brook) ; "Castle Hills " (north part of Wayland) ; " Spruce 
Swamp" or "Cranberry Swamp" (north of the highway, by 
Whale's Bridge, Wayland). 

The following names are on the Proprietors' Book, and the 
places they designate are on the west side: "Lake's End 
Hill," "Log Slough," "Lake's End Bridge," "Pine Island," 
"Long Me°adow," "Strawberry Meadow," "Mine Way,'' 
"Mill Field," "Hop Meadow," "Cedar Swamp Plane," 
"Ridge Meadow Brook," " Dunsdale," " Haynes' Slough," 
"Log Hole." 

The following are also on the Proprietors' Book: "Hog 
House Hill," "Windmill Hill," "Bow Leg Meadow," -Penny 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 151 

Meadow Brook,'' " Swath Meadow," " Porringer Hill," "Com- 
mon Swamp Bridge," "Prospect Hill," "Long Meadow," 
" Highway from Lake's End to Log Slough," " Path from 
Log Slew to Pine Island," "Common Meadow Bridge," 
"Ashen Swamp," "Widow Rice's Plain, "Lake End" or 
"Lake's End," "Gulf Neck," "Iron Works Meadow," 
" Walnut Tree Hill," " Bare Hill." 



CHAPTER IX. 

Sudbury in the Colonization of Other Towns : Framingham, Marlboro, 
Worcester, Grafton, Rutland. 

His echoing axe the settler swung 

Amid the sea-like solitude, 
And, rushing, thundering, down were flung 

The Titans of the wood ; 
Loud shrieked the eagle, as he dashed 
From out his mossy nest, which crashed 

With its supporting bough, 
And the first sunlight, leaping, flashed 

On the wolf's haunt below. 

Alfred B. Street. 

The settlement of Sudbury in its earlist stages having 
now been noticed, let us, before considering farther what 
occurred within the town limits, give our attention to the 
work of its people in the settlement of other towns. The 
sons of Sudbury wrought nobly, not only within but with- 
out their own borders. A pioneer spirit very early pre- 
vailed, and as the town's citizens reached out for new acqui- 
sitions of land, they helped establish some of the best towns 
in the State. In this work of colonization were both hard- 



152 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

ship and hazard. Few but such as were of an adventurous 
nature would so speedily have removed from newly con- 
structed homesteads to erect other abodes in the farther 
forest. But a brave band of frontiersmen pushed boldly for- 
ward and out into the dark outstretching wood ; and, amid 
perils of climate, wild beasts, and uncivilized men, they 
opened new paths and prepared the way for new settle- 
ments. In narrating the work thus performed, we will to 
an extent present an outline of facts as they are afforded by 
the histories of the towns in which the work here mentioned 
was done. On the south and west of Sudbury, at the time 
of its settlement, was a wilderness. On the west was what 
is now Marlboro, on the south what is Framingham and 
Natick, and beyond this border territory was a far out- 
stretching forest awaiting the approach of the English to 
give it the light of civilized life. 

FRAMINGHAM. 
First there was an occupation of the lands on the south. 
This territory — so much of it as is now Framingham, and 
which was called a plantation by 1675, and was incorporated 
as a town in 1700 — was, at the earliest occupation by the 
English, unclaimed land of the colony. It never was granted 
to a company of petitioners, as was the case with Sudbury, 
but was allowed to individuals at different dates, whose 
names became associated with the lands granted. The fol- 
lowing is a list of the prominent grants, and the quantity 
of land comprised in some of them : The Stone Grants ; the 
Glover Farm, 600 acres ; the Rice Grants ; the Eames Grant, 
200 acres; the Corlett Grant, 200 acres; the Gookin and 
How Purchase ; the Mayhew Farm, 300 acres ; the Danforth 
Farms; Crowne's Grant, 500 acres; Russell's Grant, 500 
acres; Wayte's Grant, 300 acres; the Natick Plantation 
Grants. Several of these tracts were either granted, as- 
signed or conveyed to, or in part settled by people from Sud- 
bury. 

The Stone Grants. — Mr. Temple, in his " History ot 
Framingham," says : " The first man to build upon our soil 
was John Stone, who removed from Sudbury (now Way- 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 153 

land), and put up a house at Otter Neck, on the west side of 
Sudbury River, in 1646 or 1647." The lauds owned by Mr. 
Stone were in several parcels, and granted at different times. 
In 1643 he had a grant of six acres in " Natick bounds;" 
and in 1656 he purchased lands of the Indians at the Falls 
of Sudbury River (Saxonville). This land was situated 
northwesterly of the falls, and on the southeasterly and east- 
erly slope of the hill. It was confirmed to Mr. Stone by the 
Court, May, 1656, with fifty acres in addition. The land 
last granted was laid out May 26, 1658, by Edmund Rice 
and Thomas Noyes, and is described as "joining to Sudbury 
river at the falls of the said river, twenty acres of the said 
fifty being southward joining to the lands of John Stone, 
which said lands were purchased of the Indians, and after 
confirmed by the honoured Court; also the other thirty acres 
of the said fifty lying northward of the aforesaid purchased 
land and joining to it." Other land tracts were obtained by 
Mr. Stone in the territory of Framingham, till he possessed 
several hundred acres. Two of his sons, Daniel and David, 
settled near their father in 1667. 

The Glover Farm. — This was the next grant to be 
occupied by a Sudbury citizen. (For description, see Chap- 
ter IV.) This farm was leased Sept. 29, 1647, by President 
Dunster, guardian for the Glover heirs, to Edmund Rice for 
the term of ten years. By agreement in the lease, he was to 
erect a house on the place. (For dimensions of this house, 
see Chapter V.) He was also to build a barn, with dimen- 
sions as follows: " Fifty long, eleven foote high in the stud, 
one foote above ground, the sell twenty foote if no leantes 
or eighteen foote wide with leantes on the one side, and a 
convenient threshing-floare between the doares." (Barry.) 
These buildings, it is supposed, were located near Dudley 
Pond, and on that part of the Glover Farm which, by an 
adjustment of the town bounds in 1700, came into the town 
of Wayland. When the Glover estate was settled, the farm 
became the property of John Glover and Priscilla Appleton, 
his sister. Subsequently John transferred his part to his 
sister, and the place became known as the Appleton Farm. 
In 1697, John Appleton and wife sold the estate, then esti- 



154 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

mated at about nine hundred and sixty acres, to three Sud- 
bury parties,— namely, Thomas Brown, Thomas Drury, and 
Caleb Johnson, — for four hundred and forty pounds. The 
land was divided among these purchasers, and with the result 
that, after some exchange of the property among themselves, 
"Mr. Brown had as his part of the upland two hundred acres 
on the northerly side, and situated westerly in Framingham 
territory; Mr. Drury, two hundred acres on the southerly 
side, also in Framingham, and one hundred acres in the 
northeasterly part in Wayland ; and the land possessed by 
Mr. Johnson was the middle portion, and consisted of two 
hundred acres of upland, upon which he erected a dwelling, 
where the Mars house now stands. Thus, not only was the 
Glover Farm first occupied by a Sudbury citizen, but in its 
subsequent divisions it became the property of three others. 

The Rice Grants. — Not only did Edmund Rice lease 
the large land tract just mentioned, but, by petitioning the 
General Court, he became owner of the several pieces of land 
that are called the " Rice Grants." In 1652 he was allowed 
three pieces of meadow, comprising about twenty acres, and 
rhirty acres of upland, which was situated about a mile from 
Cochituate Brook, and in a part of Framingham called Rice's 
End. In 1665 he again petitioned the Court, and received 
about eighty acres more, which was also in the southeast 
part of the town. In 1659, Mr. Rice gave a deed of the 
land at Rice's End to his son Henry, who built upon it, and 
who, it is supposed, was the second person to build on Fram- 
ingham soil. 

The Eames Grants. — These grants were of lands ob- 
tained from the General Court and the Indian owners by 
Thomas Eames, who was a former inhabitant of Sudbury. 
In 1669, Mr. Eames built a house and barn on the southerly 
slope of Mi. Wayte, South Framingham. The land was of 
the Wayte grant, and was owned by Thomas Danforth, who 
purchased it of Mr. Richard Wayte. On Feb. 1, 1676, the 
Indians burned the buildings of Mr. Eames, and killed or 
took captive his family. (See Chapter II. and period 1675- 
1700.) As a return for the loss of property then incurred, 
which amounted to about three hundred and thirty pounds, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 155 

the General Court, in 1677, granted him two hundred acres 
of land; and by consent of the Court he obtained, in 1676-7, 
a tract of two hundred acres of the Indians, which was situ- 
ated near where his former dwelling stood. " The Eames 
Farm " was situated in the southerly part of Framingham, 
south of Sudbury River, and ran westerly as far as Farm 
Pond. The grant of two hundred acres allowed by the 
Court in 1677 was laid out by John Brigham of Sudbury, in 
1686, and is said to have been "land in the wilderness adjoin- 
ing to Lancaster line." 

The Corlett Grant. — This land tract was laid out 
May 28, 1661, to Mr. Elijah Corlett, a schoolmaster of Cam- 
bridge. It was situated " about a mile distant from the 
southwest angle of the lands formerly granted to Sudbury ; 
also having a parcel of meadow granted to Mr. Edmond 
Browne, teacher to the church in Sudbury, on the south, 
also being about half a mile distant northerly from the river 
which runneth to Sudbuiy, also being about a mile and a 
quarter distant west northwesterly of the now dwelling- 
house of John Stone." In 1661, Mr. Thomas Dan forth 
purchased the land of Mr. Corlett, and the same year trans- 
ferred it to Mr. John Stone. 

The Gookin and How Purchase. — This was a land 
tract that came into possession of Samuel Gookin of Cam- 
bridge, a son of Maj.-Gen. Daniel Gookin, who was colonial 
commissioner to the Indians, and a co-worker with Rev. 
John Elliot and Samuel How of Sudbury. The tract was 
obtained of the Indians, who gave a deed of it dated May 
19, 1682. A specification in the deed was that it contain, 
"by estimate, two hundred acres more or less." 

The Mayhew Farm. — This was a land tract of three 
hundred acres granted to Thomas Mayhew, Oct. 17, 1643. 
It is described as " lying between Marlboro, Magunkook and 
Framingham," and was assigned by will of Thomas Mayhew, 
bearing date Sept. 15, 1666, to John Stone and Nathaniel 
Treadaway, both grantees of Sudbuiy. In 1708 it was laid 
out to their heirs. 

The Danforth Farm. — These lands consisted of several 
parcels that came to Thomas Danforth by grant or purchase. 



156 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Oho of these was granted in 1GG0, and contained two hun- 
dred and fifty acres, which were Laid out adjacent to the 
south boundary of Sudbury, west of the river, and joining 
the land occupied by John Stone. Another tract was granted 
in 1GG2, and consisted of two hundred acres adjoining the 
"same land he hath between Conecticot path and Marl- 
borough." The Court appointed to lay out this land " Ensign 
Noyes of Sudbury with old Goodman Rice and John How," 
and "the act of any two of these was to be valid both for 
quantity and quality." This tract was adjacent to and 
west of the two hundred and fifty acres just mentioned, 
and extended along the south line of the Lanhani District. 
Other lands were allowed to Mr. Danforth until, by grant or 
purchase, he owned about two-thirds of the Framinghara 
Plantation. These Danforth lands were from time to time, 
more or less of them, leased to individuals, and among those 
leasing them were Samuel Winch and Thomas Frost, who 
were formerly inhabitants of Sudbury, and both of whom 
lived at Lanhani, — the former as early as 1670, when he 
purchased land there of Samuel How, and the latter about 
1685. The lease to Messrs. Winch and Frost is dated March 
25, 1693, and was of land that had been occupied by Mr. 
Winch on parole lease for several years. The time of the 
lease was nine hundred and ninety-nine years, and a payment 
was to be made of four pounds ten shillings per annum. 
The farm was bounded northerly by "Sudbury line," easterly 
by the river and Dea. John Stones' land, and southeasterly 
by "Mr. Danforth's own land," southerly by the " Lynde 
Farm," westerly by the six hundred acres of reserved land 
(at Nobscot). The tract comprised three hundred acres, 
more or less, and contained "all those mesuages and tene- 
ments wherein they, the said Samuel Winch and Thomas 
Frost, do now dwell, containing two dwelling-houses, out- 
houses, and lands adjoining." This estate was situated in 
the northerly part of Framingham, and with the Stone Farm 
piohabh comprised largely the midway border territory in 
the northerly part of that town. 

Another Sudbury settler who was one of the early occu- 
pants of Framingham territory was John Bent, son of Peter 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 15" 

Bent. In 1662 he purchased of Henry Rice a piece of land 
westerly of Cochituate Brook, and built a house there " near 
the fordway over that brook on the west side of the ' Old 
Connecticut Path.' " (Temple.) 

Other parties from Sudbury connected with the coloniza- 
tion of Framingham were Josiah Bradish, who it is supposed 
settled northerly of Nobscot Hill ; John Adams, who bought 
two hundred acres of Gookin and How at Saxonville, and 
erected a dwelling not far from the location of the present 
railroad station ; Thomas Walker, who bought eighty acres 
of Gookin and How, and built a house at Rice's End ; Sam- 
uel King, John Loker, Mathew, David and Benjamin Rice. 

Such are some of the facts which set forth the service of 
Sudbury in the settlement of Framingham. From Nobscot 
to Cochituate, and from there scattered along southerly into 
" Natick bounds," the frontier was pioneered by them as 
they marked out new trails or opened rude forest paths. It 
is supposed that at the time of Philip's war, the Stones, 
Rices, Bents, Eameses, and Bradishes were the only English 
occupants on the Framingham Plantation. John Stone, at 
the falls of Sudbury River, was one of the nearest neighbors 
of Thomas Eames at Mt. Wayte ; and at his home in the 
hollow, near the locality of the present railroad station, was 
the only English hearthstone from which a light gleamed at 
night, while about Dudley Pond and Cochituate the Rices 
had their share of solitude in their lone woodland home. 
Thus the loneliness of the settlers' life was a notable circum- 
stance in the colonization experience of these bold Sudbury 
frontiersmen. The wild rushing of the water in the circui- 
tous stream at the "falls," the sounds heard in the forest as 
the tall tree-tops were tossed by the wintry storms, and the 
wind swept through the dark woody dells, were in strange 
contrast with the noise of business that now proceeds from 
that active place. 

The settlers who went from Sudbury to the present terri- 
tory of Framingham were called "Sudbury Out-dwellers," 
or " Sudbury Farmers." Their ecclesiastical and social rela- 
tions were for a time with the town of Sudbury, — that is. 
they were expected to pay rates' levied for certain objects 



158 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the benefit of winch they shared. To such an extent were 
they identified with Sudbury, that it has been supposed by 
some they were a part of the town. This claim, it is said, 
was made, among others, by Dr. Stearns. Some things indi- 
cate that they were of the town, others that they were not. 
That they were not of the town is indicated by the following 
statement made about 1694-5, in a petition to the General 
Court, k ' Whereas ourselves and sundry more families, to the 
number of fifty or upwards, are settled upon the waste lands 
lying between Sudbury, Natic, Marlbury, and Sherborn, and 
as yet have not been orderly settled, with a township, but 
are forced to travell to the nearest of the meeting-houses, 
some to one and some to another." It is also indicated in 
a petition to the General Court in 1698 for the appointment 
of a committee to view lands of which it was desired to 
make the town of Framingham. The petition was sent in 
by John Bent and Nathaniel Stone, and the farmers about 
Cochituate, who set forth that they "had been for a long 
time united to Sudbury in civil and social rights and privi- 
leges." A further indication of no territorial relationship to 
Sudbury is the following from the Sudbury Records : Wk Oct. 
26, 1686. Agreement between the town of Sudbury and 
certain out -dwellers, viz., Corp. Henry Rice, Corp. John 
Bent, Mathew Rice, Benjamin Rice, William Brown, Daniel 
Stone, John Loker, John Adams, Samuel King, and David 
Rice, who are inhabitants bordering upon, but dwelling 
without the line or bounds of this town — have engaged to 
pay all rates for building the meeting-house, and for the 
maintenance of the ministry of the town, and for defraying 
town debts and the support of the poor — provided the town 
do relieve the poor amongst them and free them from repair- 
ing the highways within the town's bounds." 

Still another thing that may indicate that there was no 
territorial relation is a report made at a selectmen's meet- 
ing in Sudbury, in 1682. They represent in this report the 
acres of land given to those dwelling in the town, a list of 
lands of persons dwelling up and down the country, and a 
list of men's lands bordering about or near the town. The 
amount in the latter list is spoken of as amounting to five 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 159 

thousand one hundred and three acres, in which Mr. Dan- 
forth's lands (which were in the region now Framingham) 
and Mr. Gookin's lands are not cast, because the contents 
were not certain. (See period 1675-1700.) The inference 
is that considerable land tracts were about Sudbury, largely 
on the southerly side, on which the town claimed some finan- 
cial rights, but which were not claimed as territory of the 
town. 

A reason why some may have supposed that these farmers 
were a part of the town of Sudbury is found in the following- 
answer to a petition sent to the General Court, Mar. 8, 1691-2: 
• w In answer to the petition of the Selectmen of Sudbury, or- 
dered : That the out-dwellers adjoining unto the said Town, 
comprehended within the line beginning at Matth. Rice's, 
from thence to Cornet W m Brown's Corp. Henry Rice's, 
Thomas Drury's, Tho. Walker, Jr., John How, and Samuel 
Winch's (not belonging to any other towne), be annexed 
unto the Town of Sudbury, and continue to bear their part 
of all duties and partake of all privileges then as formerly 
until further order." As to how the order was interpreted 
by those who had petitioned, may be indicated by a petition 
.sent to the Court July 4, 1700, to which these same farmers 
attach their signatures : " The said town of Sudbury have for 
above a year denied your Petitioners the liberty of voting 
and other town privileges, utterly disclaiming them as not 
belonging to the said town, though your Petitioners have 
contributed to the building the meeting-house and mainte- 
nance of the minister, and have paid several town rates and 
done many town duties ; wherefore the}- pray to be annexed 
to the town of Framingham." 

Another statement bearing upon the question is the fol- 
lowing from a petition sent to the Court, in 1730, by the 
inhabitants of Framingham living on the east and south of 
the river. They state " that they are principally consisting 
of those Farmers taken from Sudbury and Sherborn and 
those of Sudbury Farmers with others remote from meeting 
before the Court had taken emm off from Sudbury and 
annexed them to Framingham were designing to address the 
General Court to have been made a separate town :::::: 



160 BISTORT? OF SUDBURY. 

Ami your petitioners would intimate, that we of Sudbury 
fanners and Sherborn farmers should never have yielded to 
be annexed to Framingham had we not expected the meet- 
ins house had been fixed in the place where it now is." 

MARLBORO. 

About the time that the Sudbury settlers were pioneer- 
ing on the south of their plantation, their attention was 
turned in a westerly course also. Marlboro, which formerly 
included Northboro, Southboro, Westboro, and Hudson, 
was a wilderness country bordering in that direction. Very 
naturally, as the people began to feel the need of more ter- 
ritory, they sought it thitherward as well as towards the 
south. 

The result was, that, in 1656, the following petition was 
presented to the General Court: — 

"To the Hon. Governor &c assembled in Boston. The 
humble petition of several of the inhabitants of Sudbury 
whose names are here underwritten showeth, that whereas 
your petitioners have lived divers years in Sudbury and God 
hath been pleased to increase our children which are now 
divers of them grown to man's estate and we many of us 
grown into years so that we should be glad to see them set- 
tled before the Lord take us away from hence and also God 
having given us some considerable cattle so that we are so 
straightened that we cannot so comfortably subsist as could 
be desired and some of us having taken some pains to view 
the country we have found a place which lyeth westward 
about eight miles from Sudbury which we conceive might be 
comfortable for our subsistance, It is therefore the humble 
request of your Petitioners to this Hon'd Court that you 
would bee pleased to grant unto us eight miles square or so 
much land as may containe to eight miles square for to make 
a Plantation." 

This petition was signed by the following parties: "Ed- 
mund Pice. \V m Ward, Thomas King. John Wood, Thomas 
Goodnow, John Ruddock. Henry Rice. John How. John 
Bent Sen r , John Maynard, Richard Newton, Peter Pent, 
Edward Pice."' 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 161 

Answer was given to this petition at a General Court ses- 
sion held in Boston, May 14, 1656, to the effect that a tract 
of land six miles square be granted, provided it hinder no 
prior grant, and that a town be settled thereon with twenty 
or more families within three 3^ears time, so that an able min- 
istry might there be sustained. A committee was appointed 
to lay out the bounds, and make report to the " Court of 
Election." Unless they did this, the grant would be void. 
A portion of the territory desired had previously been 
granted to the Indians, on petition of Rev. John Elliot, but 
a committee was appointed who amicably adjusted the mat- 
ter, so that each party had their lands laid out and duly 
confirmed. The plantation of the Indians was known as 
Ockoocangansett, and was partly surrounded hj the plan- 
tation of the English, which for a brief period was called 
Whipsuppenicke. A plan of the latter was made in 1667, 
and approved by the authorities the same year. It contained 
29,419 acres, which, with the 6,000 acres which had been 
reserved for the Indians, made 35,419 acres. 

The first proprietors' meeting was held Sept. 25, 1656, and 
the same year William Ward, Thomas King, John Ruddock, 
and John How were " chosen to put the Affairs of the said 
new Plantation in an orderly way." A petition for incor- 
poration was soon sent to the General Court, and, being 
favorably received, in 1660 the place ceased to be merely a 
plantation legally connected with Sudbury, but became a 
town of itself, and was called " Marlborrow." 

The places where some of the Sudbury settlers early had 
their abodes in Marlboro are still known, and some of them 
have been designated in the history of the town. Such 
places furnish food for reflection to the thoughtful mind, and 
not the least so, perhaps, to the people of the town from 
whence the early occupants of those dwellings went forth. 
May the sites of those primitive dwelling-places, on which 
the roof-tree long since decayed, continue to be pointed out, 
and suggest the spirit of enterprise that inspired that little 
company who went forth from Sudbury in search of new 
lands ! 



L62 BISTORT OF SUDBURY. 



WORCESTER. 

Bui Sudbury helped settle towns still farther westward. 
Beyond Marlboro were the lands of what is now the city of 
Worcester, then a wilderness across the frontier. To this 
spot repaired some of the people of Sudbury. Anion-' these 
was Lieutenant Curtis, the sturdy backwoodsman of wl 
service in the war with King Philip we are yet to speak. ( S 
peri. i,l L675-1700.) Ephraim Curtis was a son of Henry Cur- 
tis, an original grantee o( Sudbury. He was of a sturdy, ad- 
venturesome nature, a frontiersman, soldier and scout. The 
customs of the red men, the resort of wild game, the camp-fire 
and the night ambuscade, were all familiar to him. A short 
time before the outbreak o\' Kin-- Philip's war Lieut. Ephraim 
Curtis turned his face towards the west, and made his camp 
at what is now Worcester. We quote the following con- 
concerning his subsequent experience in that locality: "It 
was in the fall oi' 1673, as near as can now he ascertained by 
tradition and otherwise, that Ephraim Curtis, the first actual 
white settler, left Sudbury, with a pack on his hack, a ion-'. 
light Spanish oun on his shoulder, and an axe in in his hand, 
and set his face towards Worcester; arriving', after two 
days" travel, on the very spot still owned and occupied by 
his descendants, on Lincoln Street, to the sixth generation. 
The principal reason for his selecting this locality to settle 
upon was the supposition of mineral wealth in the soil, from 
the report of a valuable lead mine having been discovered in 
the vicinity by the Indians, who had a sort of rendezvous on 
Wigwam Hill while on their fishing and hunting excursions. 
Here Ephraim Curtis was all alone in the wilderness for a 
year or more, and in subsequent times used to tell how, after 
working all day. he would sit down and look towards Sud- 
bury, and shed tears in spite of himself. But he had a will 
that bore him through. For a time he claimed the whole 
town o( Worcester, but had to be content with two hundred 
acres near the upper part of Plantation Street, and another 
plantation near Grafton Core, granted by the Great and 
General Court as his share of the territory o( Worcester. 
Curtis and others (ywho had followed him) stayed in Worees- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 163 

ter until driven from there by the Indians in 1675. He left 
the spot which he attempted to settle to his descendants, 
with no other personal memorials, it is said, than his gun 
and silver-headed cane marked 'E. C In his later life he 
returned to Sudbury, where he died at the age of ninety- 
two. He left Worcester plantation to the care of his son 
John, and in 17o4 lie conveyed two hundred and fifty acres, 
on the border of Worcester, Auburn, and Millbury, to his son 
Ephraim Curtis, Jr." (Fall's "Reminiscences of Worces- 
ter.") 

The violet sprung at Spring's first tinge, 

The rose of Summer spread its glow, 
The maize hung out its autumn fringe, 

Rude Winter brought his snow; 
And still the lone one labored there, 
His shout and whistle broke the air, 

As cheerily he plied 
His garden spade, or drove his share 

Along the hillock's side. 

Alfred B. Street. 

But the pioneer work done by Sudbury in the settle- 
ment of Worcester was by no means confined to one 
man. In 1657 thirty-two hundred acres were granted to 
Increase Nowell of Charlestown. His right was purchased 
by Josiah and John Haynes, Thomas Noyes, and Nathaniel 
Treadaway ; and in 1664 they became proprietors of a large 
tract east of Quinsigamond Pond. Haynes, Treadaway, and 
Noyes petitioned the General Court for a committee "to 
view the country." The death of Mr. Noyes, and the dis- 
turbed condition of things, prevented the commissioners 
whom the Court appointed from carrying out the order. 
Hut, in 1667, the Court again took measures towards a set- 
tlement of the country, and appointed a committee, who 
state in their report that " about five thousand acres is laid 
out to particular persons, and confirmed by this Court, as 
we are informed, which falls within this tract of land, viz., 
to Ensign Noyes, deceased, his brother three thousand two 
hundred acres, unto the church at Maiden one thousand 
acres, and others five hundred acres bought of Ensign 



164 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Noyes ; but all this notwithstanding, we conceive there may 
be enough meadow for a small plantation or town of about 
thirty families, and if these farms be annexed to it, it may 
supply about sixty families." The committee recommended 
to the Court that it " reserve it for a town;" and, for the 
settling of it, it advised "that there be a meet proportion of 
land granted and laid out for a town, in the best form the 
place will bear, about the contents of eight miles square." 
(Colonial Records, Vol. IV., p. 587. ) 

Another Sudbury citizen who assisted in the settlement of 
Worcester was Digory Sargent, So much of interest clusters 
about the character and experience of this adventurous man. 
that we will quote entire the account of him as given in Lin- 
coln's " History of Worcester:* 1 "Among those who attempted 
the settlement of Worcester, after the first unsuccesful enter- 
prise, was Digory Sargent, who had built his home on Saga- 
tabscot Hill, southeastward of the present town. He was a 
native of Sudbury, and had been a carpenter by occupation 
before his removal. A will made by him in 1670 is preserved 
on the Middlesex records. As the list of goods and effects, 
strangely mingled together, presents an example of the hum- 
ble personal possessions of pioneer times, and the style affords 
specimen of quaint peculiarity, it will not be uninteresting. 

"'digory sargent's will. 
"'March the 17th day 1696. The last Will and Testa- 
ment of Digory Sargent. I, Digory Sargent, being in ray 
health and strength and in my perfect memory, blessed be 
the Lord for it ; these few lines may satisfy whom it may 
concern, that I, Digory Sargent, do freely give unto my 
daughter, Martha Sargent, my house and land with all its 
rights and privileges there unto belonging: this house and 
four score acre lot of land lieth within the township of 
Worcester ; I likewise do give unto her all my goods ; one 
flock bed and boulster, with one rugg, and two blankets and 
two coverlets; six froes ; one broad ax and one pulling ax 
and one hand saw; one frying pan ; one shave ; one drawing- 
knife ; one trunk and a sermon book that is at Mrs. Man- 
Mason's Widow, at Boston ; with one pewter pint pot ; one 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 165 

washing tub; one cow and calf; one [ — ] ; three iron wedges; 
two butte rings ; and if in case the Lord should see good to 
take away the said Digory Serjent by death, then I, the said 
Digory Serjent, do leave these things above written unto 
George Parinenter of Sudbury to be disposed of as he shall 
see good to bring up the said Digory Serjent's child ; and if 
in case that this child should die likewise, then I do freely 
give my house and land with all the goods above mentioned 
unto George Parmenter forever, and to his heirs, to look 
after these things and to dispose of them as he shall see 
cause. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and 
seal the day and year above named. There is one gun too. 

" ' Digory Serjent. 
' k ' Witnessed by John Keyes, John Wetherby.' 

" Having afterwards been married to the sister of Parmen- 
ter, his family became more numerous, and afforded more 
victims to be involved in the miseries of death and captivity. 
Long after the other planters had fled from the perils of the 
conflict that raged around them, Sargent remained with his 
children, the solitary occupants of the town, resisting all 
importunity to seek safety by desertion, and resolving with 
fearless intrepidity to defend from the savage the fields his 
industry had redeemed from the waste. During the summer 
of 1702 his residence was unmolested. As winter approached 
the committee, alarmed by his situation on the frontier of 
danger, sent messengers to advise his removal to a place of 
security. As their admonitions were disregarded, they at 
length despatched an armed force of twelve men, under Cap- 
tain Howe, to compel compliance with the order. At the 
close of day the party arrived at a garrison near the mills. 
Here they halted for the night, which grew dark with storm 
and snow, and, kindling their fires, laid down to rest, while 
one of the band watched the slumbers of his comrades. In 
the morning they went onwards, and reached the house of 
Sargent, on Sagatabscot, at the distance of nearly two miles 
from the post where they had halted. They found the door 
broken down, the owner stretched in blood on the floor, and 
the dwelling desolate. The prints of many moccasins lead- 



L66 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

ins? westward, still visible through the snow, indicated that 
they had been anticipated by a short time only in the objecl 
of their mission. It was soon found that the children of 
Sargent were living in Canada. On the release of the eldest 
she related the particulars of the fearful catastrophe they had 
witnessed. When the Indians, headed by Sagamon John, 
as it is said, surrounded the house, Sargent seized his gun to 
defend his life, and was fired on. As he retreated to the 
stairway, a ball took effect and lie fell. The savages rushed 
in, with their tomahawks completed the work of death, and 
tore off his scalp from his head as a, token of victory. They 
seized the mother and her children, John, Daniel. Thomas, 
Martha, and Mary. and. having discovered the neighborhood 
of the white men, commenced a rapid retreat westward. 
The wife of Sargent, fainting with grief and fear, and in 
feeble circumstances, faltered, and impeded their progress. 
The apprehension of pursuit induced the Indian to forego 

[ ] torturing his victim. As they ascended the 

hills of Tataesset, a chief stepped out from the file, and. 
looking around among the leafless forests as if for game, 
excited no alarm in the exhausted and sinking captive, and 
awoke no cry nf horror to betray their course. When she 
had passed by, one merciful blow from the strong arm of the 
sachem removed the obstruction of their flight. The chil- 
dren they carried away reached the northern frontier in 
safety, and were a long time in Canada. Daniel and Mary. 
preferring the wild freedom of their captors to the restraints 
of civilized life, adopted the habits and manners of the Indi- 
ans. They never again resided with their relatives, although 
they once made them a visit when Miss Williams, taken at 
Deeriield, was restored. In 1715, Thomas was in Boston. 
John had been liberated in 1721. Martha was probably 
redeemed earlier than her brothers, married Daniel Shattuck, 
and returned to dwell on the spot so fatal to her family."" 
(Lincoln's ,k History of Worcester." ) 

Another inhabitant of Sudbury who went to Worcester, in 
the third attempt to settle that town, was Nathaniel Moore. 
He was one of the most prominent citizens of that place dur- 
ing: tin' first half century, and was for twelve years one of its 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 1(37 

selectmen. Mr. Moore was one of the first two deacons of the 
Old South Church, an ancestor of Dr. Moore, and formerly 
president of Williams and the first president of Amherst 
College. Still another who went from the town was Capt. 
Moses Rice. He went to Worcester about 1719, and built a 
tavern there. Captain Rice was commander of a cavalry 
company, and fought in several engagements with the Indi- 
ans. He went to Rutland about 1742, where he was killed 
by the Indians in 1755, aged sixty. Others who went there 
were Thomas Brown, Benjamin Crane, John Curtis, Simon 
Meyling, Jonathan Grout, —all of whom received lands in 
that vicinity. 

GRAFTON. 

Another place in whose settlement Sudbury citizens had 
some share was Grafton, a town in Worcester County. Its 
Indian name was Hassanamesit, which means a place of 
small stones. The land, which contained seven thousand 
five hundred acres, was purchased of the native proprietors, 
upon leases obtained of the General Court, May, 1724. 
The petition, asking the privilege of making the purchase, 
was presented by a number of persons, principally from 
Marlboro, Sudbury, Concord, and Stow; and the petitioners 
sought leave " to purchase of the Hassanamisco Indians land 
at that place." In the Indian deed concerning the territory, 
among other specific declarations is the following: "To 
Jonathan Rice and Richard Taylor both of Sudbury in the 
County of Middlesex aforesaid husbandmen each one fortieth 
part thereof ... to them and their respective heirs and 
assigns forever." After the purchase of the territory, and 
the establishment of the plantation' those who composed the 
company laying claim to the territory held proprietors' meet- 
ings, more or less of which were at the house of Jonathan 
Rice in Sudbury. Their records and proceedings show the 
prominent part taken by Sudbury citizens in the formation 
of the township. A few specimens of these records are as 
follows: "At a meeting of the Proprietors of the common 
and undivided lands in Hassanamisco holden at the house of 



168 HISTORY OF SUDBTTBY. 

Jonathan How in Marlboro, April, 1T2S, Mr. Jonathan Rice 
was chosen clerk for the Proprietors to enter and record all 
votes and orders from time to time as shall be made and 
passed in said Proprietors meetings." "July 9, 1T28. The 
Proprietors held a meeting- at Sudbury, at the house of Jona- 
than Rice, and chose a committee to take charge of building 
a meeting house." "Jan. 6, 1780. At the house of Jona- 
than Rice, voted to lay out 3 acres to each Proprietor 30 
acres of land for the third division ; voted to raise seven 
pounds of money on each Proprietor for the finishing of the 
meeting house and school house." 

In the appointment of committees for important business 
Sudbury was creditably represented. The committee chosen 
-to take a survey of the plantation of Hassanamisco, and 
find out and stake the centre plot of the plantation," were 
Captain Brigham of Marlboro, John Hunt of Concord, and 
Richard Taylor of Sudbury. Jan. 16, 1734, it was voted 
that Col. John Chandler of Concord and Jonathan Rice of 
Sudbury should be "a committee to make Hassanamisco a 
town." Thus, at Sudbury and by her citizens, were more or 
less of the plans laid and business transacted at the begin- 
ning of this thriving town. 

RUTLAND. 
Another town, in the settlement of which Sudbury was 
early and creditably represented, is Rutland. Mass. This 
town was incorporated by the General Court at a session of 
1722. The territory, however, which included the portion 
incorporated at this time, and which was six miles square, 
was some years before this explored by daring pioneers, and 
embraced, in its full extent, a tract twelve miles square, 
and took in a part or the whole of the territory of what is 
now Hubbardston, Princeton, Holden, Oakham, Paxton, and 
Barre. The original territory in these latter-named limits 
was purchased, for twenty-three pounds, of Puagastion oi 
Pennb'ook, Pompamamay of Natick, Wananapan of Wamas- 
sick, Sassawannow of Natick, and other natives, on Dec. 22, 
1686. The name of the whole place was Naquag, and the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 169 

deed of it, signed and acknowledged by the above-named 
Indians, was received April 14, 1714, and is on record at the 
Middlesex Registry of Deeds, page 511 of Book XVI. 

The ownership of this twelve-mile land tract was confirmed 
by the General Court in 1713, on petition of the heirs of 
Maj. Simon Willard, of Indian war fame, and others whose 
names were in the associate deed. One condition imposed 
by the Court in the confirmation of ownership was, that, 
within seven years, there be sixty families settled there, and 
a reservation of land for church and school purposes. On 
Dec. 14, 1715, the proprietors, at a meeting in Boston, 
decided that a tract of six miles square of the original 
twelve miles should be surveyed and set apart for the set- 
tlement of sixty-two families, in order to keep the conditions 
by which the grant was to be allowed. It decided to grant 
to Capt. Benjamin Willard, for certain considerations, one of 
which was that he build a mill, " one-third part of a thirty- 
third part of said township, or nine hundred and thirty 
acres." A portion of this large grant to Captain Willard 
passed into the hands of several prominent Sudbury citizens, 
who were assignees to Captain Willard. Three of them were 
Rev. Israel Loring, Capt. Samuel Stone, and Capt. Samuel 
Wright. The land thus assigned went to the parties as fol- 
lows : To Mr. Loring, three hundred acres ; to Captain Stone, 
two hundred and forty acres ; and to Captain Wright, one 
hundred and twenty acres. 

So much of the land of the twelve miles square as amounted 
to six miles square having now been confirmed to the claim- 
ants, and surveyed, and positions assigned for settlement, on 
petition to the General Court, at a session beginning May 80, 
1722, an act of incorporation was passed, making of this ter- 
ritory the town of Rutland. The place thus being in readi- 
ness for settlement, and quite a portion of it being in the 
hands of Sudbury citizens, and a leader in the enterprise, 
Captain Wright, being a Sudbury man who, for years before 
Rutland was incorporated, was a manager in its affairs, it is 
no wonder that emigration flowed from the town into this 
new country. It was as the great West to a place as near 
the seaboard settlements as Sudbury; and the romance and 



170 HISTORY OF SUDBUBY. 

adventure of pioneer life very likely took hold of the inhabi- 
tants, as the same spirit led their ancestors to seek homes 
aboul the borders of Sudbury River about a century before. 
Accordingly, as might be expected, we find an early exodus 
from the town to the place; and among the names of parties 
who found homes in Rutland, or in the towns of the original 
twelve miles square, we find the following, which now 
are, or have been, familiar in Sudbury: Newton, Moore, 
Howe. Knight, Ward. Brown, Hunt, Bent, Stevens. Wright, 
Read, Dakin, Goodenow, Riee. Brintnal, Haynes, Stone, 
Parmenter, Estabrook, Clapp, Walker. Maynard. 

Other towns about Sudbury that were represented in the 
settlement of this place were .Marlboro. Concord, and Fra- 
mingham, besides some from Boston, Lexington, Lancaster, 
and Brookfield, and some emigrants from Ireland. 

But it is not simply the matter of names and numbers of 
parties from the town that makes it important and interest- 
ing to mention the part taken by Sudbury in the settlement 
of Rutland, but the prominence of several of them. More or 
less were leaders in the enterprise, and active and influen- 
tial in shaping the young town's life. As showing their 
character, we will give a short sketch of some of them. 

Among the most valuable men of the place was Capt. 
Samuel Wright, who came from the West Parish in Sud- 
bury, and was proprietor of lot No. 1 in the first apportion- 
ment of Rutland territory. Captain Wright was the firsl 
deacon of the church there, justice of the peace, captain of 
the militia, and for years held various other town offices. 
He was clerk and one of the proprietors of the twelve-miles- 
square land tract. It was at a meeting at his house that 
land divisions of the town were confirmed, June 2o, 1721. 
He was the fust moderator, town clerk, and selectman 
chosen after Rutland became incorporated. Captain Wright 
kept a, tavern for some time opposite tic first meeting-house, 
at which place much of the business of the town was trans- 
acted. He was prominent in defending the town against the 
incursions of the Indians, who assailed it savagely in its early 
history; and in this defense be was reinforced by soldiers 
from Sudbury. Captain Wright was the sixth son of 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 171 

Edward Wright, who is supposed to have been a son of 
one of Sudbury's early inhabitants or grantees. He was born 
April 9, 1670. He married Mary Stevens, a daughter of 
Cyprian Stevens, whose wife was Mary Willard, daughter 
of Major Simon Willard of Lancaster, and of his third wife, 
Mary Dunster, who was a relative of Mr. Dunster, president 
of Harvard College. Captain Wright was by this marriage 
one of the heirs to the large land tract originally assigned as 
the Rutland territory, which, as we have mentioned, was, in 
1713, confirmed as to ownership, on petition of the sons and 
grandsons of Major Simon Willard; and his daughter Mary's 
name was among the other heirs in the associate deed. He 
was also by this marriage with Mary made brother-in-law of 
Deacon Joseph Stevens, another early and prominent citizen 
of Rutland, who was the father of Capt. Phineas Stevens, 
the settler of whom we shall next speak in this sketch. Mr. 
Wright had several children, one of whom married Rev. 
Thomas Frink, the first settled minister of the place, and of 
whom mention will be made further on. The Wright family 
years ago almost or wholly ceased to be inhabitants of Rut- 
land. 

One of the next in prominence as an historic character in 
the early history of Rutland, and who lived in Sudbury and 
had children while there, was Deacon Joseph Stevens. He 
was a son of Cyprian Stevens, who, as we have seen, married 
Mary Willard of Lancaster. He went from Sudbury to Fra- 
mingham, and from there removed to Rutland about 1719. 
He married Prudence Rice, a daughter of John Rice of Sud- 
bury, and while at Sudbury his son Phineas, the Indian 
fighter and famous captain in the French and Indian war, 
was born. Mr. Stevens was thus by relationship grandson 
of Major Simon Willard, and by heirship had an interest in 
the land tract. In the homestead allotment he received lots 
Nos. 15 and 50. He also had two hundred acres of other 
land. He filled various offices, military, ecclesiastical, and 
civil, among which were those of captain of militia and dea- 
con of the church. He put up a small hut on some meadow 
land five miles from his dwelling-place, and, there being no 
road to the place, he went to it daily on rackets or snow- 



172 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

shoes to feed his stock. On the 14th of August, 1723, after 
the daily devotional service with his family, Mr. Stevens 
started with four young men to gather hay. and while en- 
gaged in the work he was assailed by the Indians, two of his 
suns were killed, the eldest and youngest were taken prison- 
ers, and he alone escaped. The captives were taken to Can- 
ada; and, being kept there a year, were redeemed at great 
expense, after the father had taken two trips to Canada. It 
is said, that, after the capture of these boys, the Indians, 
thinking that Isaac, the younger, who was but four years 
old, would be troublesome to them on their way to Canada, 
were about putting- him to death, when their design was dis- 
covered by Phineas, who made signs, that, if his brother 
were spared, he would carry him along on his back. The 
request being granted, little Isaac was carried by his brother 
Phineas, then about seventeen, to the Indians' far-off wilder- 
ness home. Isaac was so young when taken captive that he 
soon acquired the customs and habits of the Indians. It is 
stated that the Indian woman who had this young child in 
charge was so kind in her treatment of him, that he would 
have remained among the savages. By the redemption of 
Phineas Stevens from his captivity in Canada, the country 
received a man whose services were invaluable in after years. 
This son of Sudbury afterward became an historic character, 
from his masterly military prowess in and about Fort No. 4, a 
place on the Connecticut River at Charleston, N.H. Deacon 
Stevens had three daughters. Mindwell, Mary, and Kather- 
ine. He died Nov. 15, 1700, and his wife about 177o. 

Capt. Edward Rice and Rachel, his wife, were from Sud- 
bury, and were some of the most prominent people of Rut- 
land, lie was proprietor of two lots — Nos. 34 and 60— and 
their after divisions. One of these lots he sold to Mr. Benja- 
min Dudley, and settled on the other, which was located at 
Muschapauge Hill, and contained one hundred and forty- 
five acres; but, after building upon it. he sold it, and bought 
a lot south of Pomagussett Meadow, at which place he 
lived, and where In- died, at the age of sixty-seven, during 
a remarkable sickness which, in 1756, swept over Rutland, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 173 

destroying during the fall months nearly sixty children. 
Mrs. Rice, his wife, died of small pox, Jan. 7, 1760. Cap- 
tain Rice was a useful citizen for his country, town, and 
church. He entered into the service of his country in 1724, 
and after his return home held both militia and town offices. 

Capt. Samuel Stone was of Lexington, but previously was 
a citizen of Sudbury. He was proprietor of lot No. 25 ; but, 
with his sons, he eventually became owner of about nine 
hundred acres of land. Samuel Stone, Jr., on Oct. 20, 1732, 
married a daughter of Deacon Stevens, by whom he had sev- 
eral children. He was an ardent patriot, and died in the 
service of his country at the time of the Revolutionary War. 
His son Isaac died in the French War, Nov. 20, 1756. 

Capt. Phineas Walker and his wife, Beulah Clapp, were 
from Sudbury, where their first two children were born. 
Mr. Clapp owned land at the junction of Ware and Long- 
meadow Brooks, to which place he moved in 1750. He was 
a valuable inhabitant of Rutland, and filled various important 
town offices, and was also a captain in the Revolutionary 
War. Mr. Walker and wife, soon after arriving at Rutland, 
united with the church, and it is stated of them, that, though 
living four miles from the meeting-house, " their seats were 
seldom empty." In the great sickness of 1756, their two 
sons, Abel and John, were buried in one grave. Two of 
their other sons were physicians ; one, named Asa, practised 
in Barre; the other died Nov. 30, 1797. Jonas was a minute- 
man and officer in the Revolution. 

Col. Daniel Clapp was a Sudbury man, and in 1768 bought 
land in Rutland, to which place he moved from the town of 
Princeton. He filled many important offices while at Rut- 
land, was an officer in the Revolutionary War, and for many 
years registrar of deeds for Worcester County. 

Lieut. Luke Moore and Lucy, his wife, were other citizens 
from Sudbury. Mr. Moore was an officer of militia, and a 
worthy citizen. He subsequently removed from Rutland to 
New Hampshire. It is stated that Mr. Luke Moore was a 
brother of all the women of the name of Moore who went 
from Sudbury to Rutland. 



174 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Lieut. Paul Moore, another titled citizen, was from Sud- 
bury. He was by trade a carpenter. He filled various town 
«, Hires, as town clerk, selectman, and treasurer. Mr. Moore 
married, May 3, L733, Hannah Hubbard, a daughter of ('apt. 
John Hubbard, who moved from Worcester to Rutland about 
172S; and for his second wife he married Azubah Moore of 
Sudbury. The wife of Lieutenant Moore was a well-known 
maker of deer-skin clothes. A grandson of Mr. and Mrs. 
Mot. re was Rev. John Hubbard Church, formerly of Pelhara, 
N.H. 

Cornet Daniel Estabrook and Hannah, his wife, were both 
from Sudbury. It is stated that Mr. Estabrook, in 172". 
bought land laid out to Samuel Goodnow to his right of lot 
No. 46, situated on Worcester Hill; and that when he began 
to fell trees it was perilous going to his work without his 
gun, not only from exposure to Indians, but also to bears 
and wolves. 

Another Sudbury citizen who owned land in Rutland, and 
whose family was represented among its early settlers, was 
Thomas Read, proprietor of Lot 22, with its divisions. 
Thomas Read, the son of Thomas, moved from Sudbury to 
Rutland with Sarah, his wife, and located their homestead 
on the lot just mentioned. They were some of the first pio- 
neers, and shared the perils incident to a settler's life. Mr. 
Read had five children, Jason, Thomas, Mary. Jonathan, and 
Micah. All Mr. Read's sons married wives from Framing- 
ham. Mr. Read was of the old Read family in Sudbury, the 
first of which family in the town was Thomas, who settled at 
Lanham as early as 1654. It is said, in the k * History of Rut- 
land," that "this family of Reads have been useful and indus- 
trious inhabitants of Rutland for one hundred and twenty 
\ cars." 

Jonathan Stearns, who married Abigail Moore, bought 
lands adjacent to what is called the East Wing. 

Moses Maynard and his wife, Tabitha Moore, bought 
land in Rutland adjacent to the East Wing, which was 
once granted to Jonathan Waldo, and first division of upland 
to the right of lots Nos. 2G and 27. The descendants of Mr. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 175 

and Mrs. Maynard were numerous, and settled to quite an 
extent in New Hampshire and Georgia. In 1836 it was said 
that Mr. Maynard was the largest man that ever lived in 
Rutland, and that about a year and a half before his death, 
which occurred in his sixty-eighth year, he weighed four 
hundred and fifty-oue pounds. 

Mr. Moses Baxter, a carpenter, who married Mary Moore 
of Sudbury, bought a farm joining the East Wing. 

Mr. Eliphalet Howe was of the old Howe family in Sud- 
bury, and bought land on Walnut Hill, Rutland. 

Among the settlers in and about Rutland are other and 
familiar Sudbury names ; but those which have been given 
show how much the town contributed towards the settle- 
ment. In the establishment of the church, also, Sudbury 
was quite prominent. The first deacon was Samuel Wright, 
at whose house was held a meeting for the signing of the 
church covenant, July 18, 1727. July 24, 1721, Rev. Joseph 
Willard was chosen pastor, but was slain by the Indians 
August 14 of the same year. At a meeting held May 17, 
1727, at which Capt. Samuel Wright presided, Rev. Thomas 
Frink was chosen by unanimous vote to be the settled pas- 
tor. He was a native of Sudbury, and took his degree at 
Harvard College in 1722. His father came from England, 
with two brothers. He was settled at Rutland, Nov. 1, 
1727, and dismissed Sept. 8, 1740. Previous to the installa- 
tion of Mr. Frink, letters missive were sent to six churches, 
among which were those of the East and West Parishes, 
Sudbury. Samuel Wright and Lieut. Simon Davis were 
chosen to sign these letters for the church. In accordance 
with the invitation, Revs. Loring and Cook of Sudbury were 
present. Mr. Frink and Capt. Samuel Wright joined the 
church by letters brought from the West Precinct Church. 
Rev. Israel Loring preached the installation sermon, from 
2 Cor. ii. 16: "And who is sufficient for these things." 
After laying on of hands by Revs. Loring, Prentice, Par- 
sons, and Chenery, Mr. Frink "was ordained a, Presbiter 
of the Church and Pastor of Rutland." Mr. Lorinsr ° - ave 
the right hand of fellowship. After singing part of the 



176 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Eighty -ninth Psalm, the pastor "pronounced the Bless- 
ing-" 

After Mr. Frink was dismissed from Rutland, he was 

installed pastor of the Third Church, Plymouth, Nov. 7, 
1743 ; and October, 1753, he was installed pastor at Barre, 
where he labored until July 17, 1766. He married Isabella, 
daughter of Capt. Samuel Wright, Feb. 13, 1729, and had a 
family of ten children. He was a man of considerable ability. 
and preached the election sermon at Boston in 1758. His 
son Samuel was also a minister ; and at the time of Mr. 
Whitefield's visit to the country he was rector of a church 
in Savannah, Ga. John Frink was a physician, and prac- 
ticed in Rutland. 

Thus the influence of Sudbury in the settlement of Rut- 
land was strongly marked ; and it may be gratifying to the 
town's people to-day that such good and prominent results 
have accrued from the presence of her citizens abroad. 



CHAPTER X. 

1650-1675. 

Activity on the West Side of the River. — Early Homesteads. — Laying 
Out of the "New Grant." — Land Allotments. — Owners and Occu- 
pants.— "The Thirty Rod Highway."— Settlement of Marlboro.— 
The "Hop Brook Mill."— Highway to the New Mill. — "Old Lan- 
caster Road." — New Meeting-House ; Contract. — The " Cow Com- 
mon " Controversy. 

The smoke wreaths curling o'er the dell, 
The low, the bleat, the tinkling bell, 

All made a landscape strange, 
Which was the living chronicle 

Of deeds that wrought the change. 

A. B. Street. 

Having noticed the leading events in the establishment 
of the town, we will now consider its history mainly by 
periods of a quarter of a century each. In doing this we 
shall consider events somewhat in chronological order, tak- 
ing liberty, however, to deviate as much as convenience and 
a proper treatment of the subject may direct. 

Between 1650 and 1675 the west side had rapid develop- 
ment. Prior to the beginning of this period the pioneer 
spirit of the settlers had led to a thorough exploration of 
this part of the town, and they had located by its hills and 
along its meadows and valleys, as if undaunted by distance 
from the meeting-house and mill, and indifferent to the perils 
of the wilderness. But although there was, to an extent, an 
occupation of the west part of the town from the very begin- 
ning of the settlement, yet the greater activity was for a 
time on the east side ; in that part was the centralization of 
people, and things were more convenient and safe. Indeed, 
the settlers for a season may have regarded the west side as 

177 



178 BISTOBY OF SUDBURY. 

a wilderness country, destined long to remain in an unbroken 

stat.'. The view westward from certain points along the first 
street was upon woody peaks and rocky hillsides. Beyond 
the valley of Lanham and Lowance, towered Nobscot; its 
slope, thickly covered with forest, might look like an inhos- 
pitable waste; while the nearer eminence of Goodman's Hill, 
with its rough, rocky projections, may have had a broken 
and desolate aspect. It is no wonder, then, thai in the ear- 
lier years of the settlement we read of so many corn-fields on 
the east side of the river, and find parties desirous of obtain- 
ing new farms seeking- them in a southerly rather than a 
westerly direction. But when absolute wants were once 
met, and things essential to existence were provided ; when 
the settlers had acquired a better knowledge of the country 
and of the character of its native inhabitants, and a substan- 
tial causeway was made, — then began a greater development 
of the west part of the town. 

The indications are that these things were accomplished 
about the year 1650. At this time we begin to notice the 
mention of homesteads on the west side, and the construc- 
tion of works for public convenience. The lands first occu- 
pied, probably, were those near Lanham and Pantry, and 
along the meadows by the river course; while the more 
central portion, called -Rocky Plain," was not taken till 
somewhat later. This is indicated, not only by the known 
locations of early homesteads, but by the locality of the west 
side cow common. (See Chapter VII.) These sections 
may have been first taken on account of the abundance of 
meadow land, and the existence of roads which had been 
made for the transportation of hay. 

A prominent person who early located there was Walter 
Haynes. He had a house by the meadow margin, which, in 
IGTC, was used as a garrison, and which early in town his- 
tory was called - Mr. Haynes" old house." In Hi 10 he was 
granted liberty to run a fence -from his meadow, which lies 
on the west side of the river, across the highway to his 
fence of his upland at his new dwelling-house, provided that 
Walter llavne do keep a gate at each side of his meadow for 
the passing of carts and the herds along the highway that 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 179 

his fence may not be prejudicial to the town." Both rec- 
ord and tradition indicate that John and Edmund Goodenow 
early had. lands near the Gravel Pit, and also at or near the 
present Farr and Coolidge Farms. By 1659, Thomas Noyes 
and. Thomas Plympton had established houses on the west 
side, — the former on lands at Hop Brook, and the latter at 
Strawberry Bank. As early at least as 1654, Thomas Read 
was at Lanham ; and by 1659 Peter Bent was there also. 

Some public acts which indicate activity on the west side, 
as set forth by the records, are as follows : In 1654 it was 
ordered that Walter Hayne and John Stone " shall see to 
the fences of all the corn-fields on their side the river ; " and 
in 1659 a committee was appointed to look after the high- 
ways there. The mention of bridges by 1641, the ferry of 
Mr. Noyes in 1642, and the contract for a cart-bridge in 
1643, are all indications of early activity in the west part 
of the town. But the more important matters of a public 
nature were in connection with the laying out of new lands, 
the construction of important roads, and the erection of a mill. 

LAYING OUT OF NEW LANDS. 

These lands consisted of the two-mile grant, allowed in 
1649. (See Chapter IV.) Its eastern boundary line ex- 
tended nearly as follows: A little west of North Sudbury, 
Sudbury Centre, and South Sudbury, or, more specifically, 
by the Moses Mossman place, across the Poor Farm, by 
the east bank of Willis's Mill Pond, across or just east of 
Blandford's Pond, over the Walter Rogers place, and a little 
west of Hunt's Bridge. From this easterly limit, it extended 
to the town's western boundary. Oct. 27, 1651, John Sher- 
man and others were appointed to lay out this land. The 
following record indicates how the mone}* was raised to meet 
the expense of this work, and also a rule that was agreed 
upon for the apportionment of the land : — 

Nov. 27, 1651. " It is agreed in a public town meeting 
warned for that purpose, that the rate now to be levied for 
the payment of John Sherman and others for laying out the 
two miles westward joining to our former bounds which was 
last granted by the Court for our enlargement shall be paid 



180 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

by the inhabitants every man to pay alike, the same in quan- 
tity and when thai the two miles shall be laved out that 
every man shall enjoy a like quantity of that land. ' 

About two years later a dispute arose relative to the man- 
ner in which the two-mile grant was to be divided. "Two 
ways were proposed, neither of which gave satisfaction ; the 
first was to divide them equally to every man : the other was 
to divide by estate or family — to every man four parts — to 
every wife, child or servant bought or brought up in the 
family one part." 

On Jan. 4, 1655, at a selectmen's meeting it was -voted 
to take some means to get the new grants laid out ; " and it 
was also agreed -to keep a herd of cattle upon the land the 
next summer." Thus the subject of the new grant was a 
prominent one, and how to apportion it was an important 
matter. At length the plan was adopted of dividing it 
into squadrons, the arrangement of which was as follows: 
"The south east was to he the first, the north east the 
second, the north west the third, and the south west the 
fourth." It was voted there should he a highway extending 
north and south, "30 rods wide in the new gram joining to 
the five miles first granted;" also, "Voted that there should 
be a highway 30 rods wide, from south to north, paralel with 
the Other said highway in the middle of the remaining tract 
of land." 

The records further state, that, as there was a pond in the 
third and second squadrons, "so that the middle highway 
from south to north cannot pass strait," it was voted to have 
it "go round the pond." These squadrons were subdivided 
into parcels of equal size, each containing one hundred and 
thirty acres, and were apportioned to the people by lot. It 
was voted that tk the first lot drawn was to begin at the 
south side of the first squadron running east and west 
betwixt our highways; the second lot to be in the north 
side of the first, and so every lot following successively as 
they are drawn till we come to Concord line and so the first 
and second squadron." 

Persons who received parts of this land, and the order of 
receiving it, are thus given in the records: — 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



181 



These twelve lots written, are the 
first squadron, the first of them 
joining to the country land on the 
south, and the last of them join- 
ing to Lancaster highway on the 
north, each lot containing one hun- 
dred and thirty acres, the length 
being nearest hand east and west, 
the breadth north and south. 



John Blanford 1 

Thomas Noyes 2 

Walter Hains 3 

William Kerley 4 

Joseph Freeman 5 

Henry Curtis 6 

Mr. Brian Pendleton 7 

Thomas Rice 8 

Edward Rice 9 

Mr. Herbert Pelham 10 

L[ t ] Edmund Goodenow 11 

Robert Davis 12 

The second squadron are : 

William Ward 13 

Josiah Hains 14 

Henry Loker 15 

John How 16 

Edmund Rice 17 

Philemon Whale 18 

John Loker 19 

Mr. Edmund Browne 20 

John Parmenter, Dea 21 

John Maynard 22 

Robert Darn ill 23 

Thomas White 24 

Richard Newton 25 
John Reddicke, part of his 26 

These thirteen lots and a part afore written are the second squadron 
the first whereof being William Ward's who joineth to Lancaster high- 
way on the south, the last being part of Sargent Reddicke's lot which 
joineth to Concord line on the north all this squadron of lots, with the 
other aforegoing, being bounded on the east by a highway thirty rods 
wide, and part of the two miles last granted to Sudbury~each lot contain- 
ing one hundred and thirty acres ; third squadron are as followeth : — 



John Ward 
Peter Kin^e 
John Smith 
Hugh Griffin 
Henry Rice 
Jo!m[--] 
Robert Beast 
William Kerley Sen 
John Wood 
John Rutter 



27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 



Mr Wm Browne his farm of 
two hundred acres, and his lot of 
one hundred and thirty acres, be- 
ing granted to be in the north 
west angle beyond Asibath river 
before the lots were laid out. Also 
the other part of Sargent Red- 
dicke's lot joining to Mr. William 
Browne's farm on the north. 



Ig2 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Solomon Johnson Sen 37 

John Toll 38 

Widow Goodenow 39 

The thirteen lots last written with Mr. W™ Browne's farm and lot 
and the part of Sergent Reddicke's lot, are the third squadron. Mr. 
Browne's farm joineth to Concord line on the north, and the widow 
lenow's lot joineth the same said Lancaster highway on the south, 
the said squadron of lots and farm being on the east the middle highway 
thirty rods wide and the second squadron, and butting on the west upon 
the wilderness. 

The fourth squadron are as followeth : — 

John Moores 40 

John Woodward 41 

John Grout, I- 

John Bent Sen, 4:'. 

Thomas Goodenow 1 1 

Thomas Plympton, 45 

John Haines, 46 

Mr. Peter Noyes, 47 

Mr William Pelham 18 

John Parmenter Junior. 49 

Thomas Kinge 50 
The Cowpen land being one 

hundred and thirty acres 51 

These above eleven lots going with the cowpen land, are the fourth 
and last squadron, the first [one] of [which] being [that of] John Moores, 
who joineth on the north the same said Lancaster highway, the cowpen 
being the last, which joineth on the south to the wilderness the said 
eleven lots and cowpen butting on the east the aforesaid + highway and 
first squadron and butting on the west the wilderness. Also let it be 
remembered that the long highway from south to north goeth at the 
west end of the pond through the lands of John Toll and Solomon John- 
son, and is twelve rods wide at the narrowest, which way the said John 
Toll and Johnson have sufficient allowance. 

This land, laid out so regularly, was good property. Some 
of the mosl substantial homesteads of the town have been, 
and still are, u\nm it. The names of Howe, Parmenter, 
Woodward. Moore, Browne, Walker, Noyes. Balcom, and 
Ri ce> of the older inhabitants, and, later, of Fairbanks, 
St.- no, Willis. Smith, llayden, Maynard, Perry, Bowker, 
Vose, Brigham, and others,— all had residences there. The 
possession of this new -rant territory, and its early appor- 



HISTORY Otf SUDBURY. 183 

tionment, would serve naturally to keep the people in town. 
It opened new resources to the settlers by its timber lands : 
and the circuitous course of Wash Brook gave meadows and 
mill privileges which the people were not slow to improve. 
Probably the earlier settlers of this tract went from the east 
side of the river as into a new country or wilderness. There 
they erected garrisons ; and that there were in this territory 
at least three of these houses indicates the exposed condition 
of the place at the time of its early occupation by the English. 
"Willis," the largest pond in town, a part of "Nobscot," the 
highest hill, and the most extensive timber tracts, are in this 
new grant. In it have been located no less than five saw or 
grist mills. From this territory was taken part of the town 
of Maynard, and in it were located for years two out of five 
of the old-time district school-houses. The Wayside Inn 
and the Walker Garrison are still there; and although the 
stirring scenes of the old stage period, which gave liveliness 
to the one, and the dismal war days, which gave importance 
to the other, have passed away, yet there remains a thrift 
and prosperity about the substantial farms of the ancient 
new grant lots that make this locality one of importance and 
interest. 

THE THIRTY-ROD HIGHWAY. 

But, while these new lands proved so beneficial to the 
town, the " Thirty-Rod Highway " in time caused considera- 
ble trouble. It was laid out for the accommodation of the 
owners of lots, and, as the name indicates, was thirty rods 
wide. The unnecessary width may be accounted for as we 
account for other wide roads of that day: land was plentiful, 
and the timber of so large a tract would be serviceable to the 
town. 

But the width tended to cause disturbance. The land was 
sought for by various parties, — by abutters on one or both 
sides, it may be; by those dwelling within the near neigh- 
borhood; and by such as desired it for an addition to their 
outlying lands, or a convenient annex to their farms. The 
result was that to protect it required considerable vigilance. 
Encroachments were made upon it, wood and timber were 



184 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

taken away, and at successive town-meetings what to do 
with this Thirty-Rod Highway was an important matter 

of business. But at length it largely ceased to be public 
property. Piece after piece had been disposed of; some of it 
bad been purchased by private parties, some of it exchanged 
for lands used for other highways, and some of it may have 
been gained by right of possession. 

But, though so much of this road has ceased to be used by 
the public, there are parts si ill retained by the town and 
open to public use. The Dudley Road, about a quarter of a 
mile from the William Stone place, and which passes a small 
pond called the Horse Pond, tradition says is a pari of this 
way. From near the junction of this with the county road, 
a part of the Thirty-Hod Way runs south, and is still used as 
away to Nobscot. On it, tradition also says, is the Small- 
Pox Burying-Ground at Nobscot. A part of this road, as it 
runs east and west, is probably the present Boston and Ber- 
lin Road, or what was the "Old Lancaster Road." Other 
parts of this way may be old wood-paths that the Sudbury 
farmers still use and speak of as being a part of this ancient 
landmark. 

"OLD LANCASTER, ROAD." 
This road, which was at first called the " Road to Xashu- 
way," probably followed an ancient trail. In 1053 it was 
"agreed by the town that Lieutenant Goodenow and Ensign 
Noyes shail lay out the way with Nashuway men so far as it 
goes within our town bound." A record of this road is on the 
Town Book, and just following is this statement:'— 

-This is a true copy of the commissioners appointed by 
the (own taken from the original and examined by me. 

"Hugh Griffin." 
This record, which is among those for 1646, by the lapse 
of time has become so worn that parts are entirely gone. It 
is supposed, however, that some of the lost parts have been 
restored or supplied by the late Dr. Stearns. AVc will give 
the record, so far as it can be obtained from the Town Book, 
and insert in brackets the words that have been supplied 
from other sources : — 




RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH C. HOWE. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 185 

We whose names are hereunto subscribed appointed by] Sudbury 
and the town of Lancaster to lay out the high[way over the] river 
meadow in Sudbury near Lancaster to the [town] bound according to the 
Court order, have agreed as follows [viz ] That the highway beginning 
at the great river meadow [at the gravel] pitt shall run from thence [to 
the northwest side of] Thomas Plympton's house, [and from thence] to 
timber swa[mp as] marked by us and so on to Hart Pond leaving the 
[rock] on the north side of the way and from thence to the extreme 
[Sudbury bounds] as we have now marked it the breadth of the way is 
to be the gravel pitt to the west end of Thomas Plympton's lot and . . . 
rods wide all the way to the utmost of Sudbury bound and thence upon 
the common highway towards Lancaster through Sud[bury] therefore 
we have hereunto set our hand the 22 nd day of this pres[ent month] 

Edmund Goodenow 
Date 1653 Thomas Noyes 

William Kerley 

This road has for many years been a landmark in Sud- 
bury ; but the oldest inhabitant cannot remember when, in 
its entire length, it was used as a highway. Parts of it were 
long since discontinued, and were either sold or reverted to 
the estates of former owners. In 1806, an article was in the 
warrant " to see if the town would take any measures for 
opening the road called ' Lancaster Old Road ' at a gate a 
little north of Curtis Moore's dwelling house thence running 
southerly till it comes into the road leading from the mills to 
the meeting house." The road here referred to is probably 
that which comes out by the present Horatio Hunt place, 
about midway of the two villages. This record sh«ws the 
track of the road from its intersection with the present 
meeting-house road to the point referred to as being "a little 
north of Curtis Moore's dwelling house ; " and, from that 
point, it probably continued along the present travelled way 
to the Berlin road. Its course east of the Hunt place, so far 
as we can judge from tradition, record, visible traces, and 
the lay of the land, took the following course : Going east- 
erly a few rods, it goes southerly, and at a point about a 
quarter of a mile easterly of the Wadsworth Monument it 
takes a southeasterly course, and intersects the present 
Graves Road at the junction of two roads, near the William 
Jones place. It then, we believe, ran northeasterly over the 
length of the ridge, by what is still a rude wood-path, and 



186 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

came out on the eastern slope of the hill, near the Albert 
Haynes place, where Mr. Plympton once kept a grocery store. 
A little east of this, and south of the Elbridge Bent place, 
there are traces of a road, that for a little distance has a stone- 
wall on either side, and which comes out a little south of the 
western end of the northern causeway, or at a point a little 
south of where the' Water-row Road intersects the road going 
from Sudbury Centre to Wayland. Some have placed that 
part of this road which is east of the Graves Road a little 
further south, — that is, along the south side of the hill, 
rather than upon it, — but we believe the nature of the 
meadow at the east, and the absence of all trace of the road 
in the valley, together with traces of an ancient road through 
the woods on the hill and also near the Elbridge Bent place, 
are evidences that it took the course first described. Prob- 
ably mistakes have been made relative to the course of this 
road west of Sudbury Centre, from the fact that formerly 
there were two Lancaster roads. (See map of 1794.) 

The two-mile grant was hardly disposed of, and the Lan- 
caster Road laid out, before there was a plan for the forma- 
tion of a new plantation. The result was the settlement oi 
the town of Marlboro. (See Chapter IX.) But the loss 
of population did not materially affect the prosperity of the 
town or delay the progress on the west side. 

THE HOP-BROOK MILL. 
In IGoi) a mill was put up, where the present Parmen- 
ter Mill stands in South Sudbury. This mill was erected by 
Thomas and Peter Noyes. In recognition of the servicea- 
bleness of their work to the community, the town made them 
a land grant, and favored them with such privileges as are 
set forth in the following record : — 

Jan 7 th 10.50. Granted unto Mr Thomas Noyes and to M 1 Peter 
Noyes for and in consideration of building a mill at Hop brook laying 
and bein- on the west side of Sudbury great river below the cart way 
that leads' to Ridge meadow viz: fifty acres of upland and fifteen acres of 
meadow without commonadge to the said meadow four acres of the said 
fifteen acres of meadow lying and being within the demised tracts of 
uplands; Also granted to the above named parties timber of any of Sud- 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 187 

bury's common land, to build and maintain the said mill. Also the said 
Thomas and Peter Noyes do covenant with the town for the foregoing 
consideration, to build a sufficient mill to grind the town of Sudbury's 
corn; the mill to be built below the cart way that now is leading to 
Ridge meadow, the said Grantees, their heirs and successors are to have 
nothing to do with the stream above four rods above the aforementioned 
cartway of said mill to be ready to grind the corn by the first of Decem- 
ber next ensueing, and if the said grantees, their hejrs or assigns shall 
damage the highway over the brook, by building the said mill, they are 
to make the way as good as now it is, from time to time, that is to say, 
the above specified way, over the Mill brook of said Thomas Noyes and 
Peter are also to leave a highway six rods wide joining to the brook 
from the east way that now is to the Widow Loker's meadow. (Town 
Records, Vol. I.) 

While the new mill whs being built, a way was being 
made to it from the causeway, as we are informed by the 
following record, dated Feb. 7, 1659 : — 

We the Selectmen of Sudbury, finding sundry inconveniences, by rea- 
son of bad and ill highways not being passable to meadow lands and 
other towns, and finding the law doth commit the stating of the highways 
to the prudence of the selectmen of towns, we therefore being met the 
day and year above written, on purpose to view the highways in the west 
side of Sudbury river, and having taken pains to view them, do we say, 
conclude and jointly agree that the highway from the Gravel pits shall 
go through the land newly purchased of Lieut. Goodenow to that end, 
and from thence down the brow of the hill the now passed highway, 
unto the place where the new mill is building, that is to say, the way that 
is now in occupation, we mean the way that goeth to the south and Mr 
Beisbeich his house, we conclude and jointly agree, that the way to the 
meadows, as namely, the meadow of John Grout, Widow Goodenow, 
John Maynard, Lieut. Goodenow, shall go as now it doth, that is to say, 
in the hollow to the said meadows, the highway to be six rods wide all 
along by the side of the said meadows. 

The new road here mentioned is, probably, mainly the 
same as that leading from the old causeway, or Gravel Pit, 
to South Sudbury to-day. Until within about a century it 
passed round the southern brow of Green Hill. This road 
was probably part of a path or trail that had been travelled 
before. This is indicated both by the circumstances and the 
language of the record. It is not improbable, that, before 
the formal recognition or laying out of this road, a part of 
it was a way from the Gravel Pit, or end of the long cause- 



188 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

way, to Lieutenant Goodenow's, southeasterly of the present 
Coolidge place, and extended from that point to Lanham, and 
was the road travelled by Thomas Read and others of Lan- 
ham to the meeting-house. There is still an old lane easterly 
of the Cooledge Farm, marked by fragments of wall, which 
may have been a part of the way to the old Goodenow Gar- 
rison. It is not improbable that this lane extended as a path- 
way along the margin of Lanham Meadows to Lanham. If 
this was the case, then the land spoken of as purchased of 
Lieutenant Goodenow, for the " new mill " road, may have 
extended, from the point where this lane leaves the present 
county road, along towards Green Hill ; and the " now passed 
highway " mentioned may have been the road in South Sud- 
bury called the " old road," which, it is conjectured, was a 
part of the path leading from South Sudbury to the old Lan- 
caster trail. (See period 1675-1700.) Or, in other words, 
two ways may be referred to in the records as making a part 
of this new road ; one, a portion of the path leading from the 
old Lancaster trail to the southwest part of the town, which 
was probably travelled by those living in the vicinity of Nob- 
scot, as they passed to the east part of the town ; the other, 
an early path by the Goodenow Garrison to Lanham. 

NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 

While the town was making improvements on the west 
side of the river, it was active on the east side also ; and one 
of the important works there, in this period, was the erection 
of a new meeting-house. Whether the people had outgrown 
the old one, or desired a better, is not stated ; but it is a mark 
of thrift, or of increase, that they proposed to build anew. 
That more room was wanted, is indicated by this record, in 
1651: " It was agreed by the town that Edm d Rice Senior, 
William Browne, John Reddicke and Henry Rice that they 
four shall desire the Pastor's approbation to build galleries 
in the old meeting-house, and if the Pastor do consent, then 
the town doth hereby give full power to the Pastor and these 
four men to continue the work, and to let it out to work- 
men." 



ffiSTORY OF SUDBURY. 189 

Probably these galleries were never put in, as they soon 
afterwards commenced building a new meeting-house. Be- 
fore, however, it was decided to build anew, various plans 
were suggested relative to the enlargment and improvement 
of the old one. In 1650 it was ordered that the deacons 
should "mend the meeting house and make it comfortable." 
One plan was to enlarge it by the addition of " 13 foote at 
the end of it," and that the committee should "finish the 
back side which enlargement is for a watchouse." A plan 
a little later was that the meeting-house " be enlarged by 
building 10 foote on the foreside of it all the length of the 
meeting house to be built with two gable ends in the front ; 
and Mr. Brown the Pastor doth promise to give twenty shil- 
lings toward the work ; the former order for enlarging the 
meeting house at the north west end is hereby repealed. It 
is also ordered that the back side of the meeting house be 
made hansom." 

On Dec. 10, 1651, the town succeeded in passing a vote 
for the erection of a new meeting-house, the vote standing 
twenty-five for and fourteen against it. But this vote was 
repealed at a meeting January 23 of the same year (Old 
Style), together with all orders for the repairing or altera- 
tion of the old one. The following year it was " agreed that 
the meeting house shall be made use of for a watch house 
until some further course be taken by the town." At length 
it was again decided to build a new meeting-house ; and in 
1652 a contract was made for the work. 

This contract is on the Town Records, but has become 
considerably worn and defaced, so that parts are almost 
or quite unintelligible. There is, however, a copy in the 
"Stearns Collection," which, with some slight immaterial 
alterations, is as follows : — 

The town agreed with Thomas Plympton Peter King & Hugh Griffin 
to build a new meeting house which was to be forty feet long & twenty 
feet wide measuring from outside to outside, the studds were to be 6' 
inches by 4 to stand for a four foot clapboard. There were to be 1 tran- 
som windows five feet wide & 6 feet high, and in each gable end a clear- 
story window, each window was to be 4 feet wide and 3 feet high. There 
were to be sufficient dorments across the house for galleries if there 



190 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

should afterward he a desire for galleries die beams to be 12 inches by 
14 and the ground sills were to be of white oak 8 inches square. The 
posts were to be a foot square, and the 2 middle beams to be smoothed 
on three sides and the lower corners to be run with a bowkell. They 
the said Plympton King & Griffin are to find timber to fell, hew, saw, 
cart, frame, carry to place & they are to level the ground and to find 
them sufficient help to raise the house, they are to inclose the house 
with clap boards and to lyne the inside with cedar boards or otherwise 
with good spruce boards, & to be smoothed & over lapped and to be 
lyned up the windows, & they are to hang the doors so as to bolt. One 
of the doors on the inside is to be sett with a lock. They are to lay the 
sleepers of the doors with white oak or good swamp pine, & to floor the 
house with plank. They are to finish all the works but the seats, for 
which the town do covenant to give them * * * * 5 pound 20 to be 
paid in march next in Indyan [corn] or cattle, 30 more to be paid in Sep' 
next to be paid in wheat, butter, or money & the rest to be paid as soon 
as the work is done in Indyan corn or cattle the corn to [be] merchanta- _ 
ble at the price current. 

Witness Edmd. Goodnow 
Thomas Noyes 

The new building was to be erected on the site of the obi 
one. The town ordered - that the carpenters should provide 
Yi men to help them raise the meeting house," for which 
they were to be allowed half a, crown a day. The root was to 
be covered with thatch, and the workmen were to have " the 
meadow afterwards the minister's to get their thatch upon." 
In 1654 a, committee was appointed "to agree with some- 
body to fill the walls of the meeting house with tempered 
clay provided they do not exceed the sum of 5 pounds 10 
shillings." The parties who were to build the house were 
employed " to build seats after the same fashion as in the old 
meeting house," and they were to have for every seat one 
shilling eight pence. The seats were to be made of white 
oak, "both posts and rails and benches." In 1655 the pas- 
tor and Mr. Noyes were empowered u to appoint a man to 
remove the pulpit and the deacons' seal out of the old meet- 
ing house into the new meeting house." Hugh Griffin was 
appointed for the work, and was ' to have 18 shillings for 
the work if the work is done this week or next according to 
the pastor's approbation." 

The records also state that "upon the pastor's request the 
town hath granted that he shall have liberty for to set up 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 191 

the seat for his wife in the new meeting house under the 
window by the pulpit." 

Dec. 27, 1655, it was voted that the meeting-house should 
be seated with new seats, "that the seats now brought into 
the meeting house shall be carried out again and the select 
men shall have power to place men in the seats when they 
are built." 

The new building being brought to completion, the 
people probably left the little first meeting-house that the 
deft hands of John Rutter had reared, and went into this 
with hearts thankful for new comforts and conveniences. 
It may, however, have been with some reluctance that they 
left the old meeting-house, as around it doubtless clustered 
memories both glad and sad ; for it had sheltered them 
in times of united worship in their earlier experience in 
Sudbury; when they had special need of divine support 
as strangers in a wilderness country, there they met, and 
together found strength for their trials and toils, and grace 
which brought patience and faith. Surely the old meeting- 
house was a place only to be exchanged for another, as that 
other brought new comforts and was better adapted to mee\ 
their needs. Thus at the beginning of this period the town 
was in a thrifty condition, and had a fair prospect of speedy 
development and future prosperity. Civilized life was cast- 
ing its brightness over the hills and along the valleys, and 
the scattered corn and wheat fields were oladdenino- the 
plains, which were being dotted on both sides of the river 
with pleasant homesteads. The young people who early 
came to the settlement were now coming into the full 
strength of sturdy manhood and womanhood; and all had 
been sufficiently long in the country to know what it re- 
quired of them and what they might expect from it. No 
outbreak had as yet occurred between the white man and 
his copper-colored brother of the woods, and both Nature 
and her children worked together in harmonious relations to 
bring plenty and peace. There are various small matters on 
record which indicate that the town looked well to its 
minor relations or interests, and exercised a vigilant watch- 
fulness in making provision for whatever called for its 



192 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

care. The following are the records of some of these mat- 
ters. 

March 6, 1650, it was ordered " that the town rate of I 
now to be raised for the payment of the town debt shall be 
paid in corn." The same year it "ordered, a rate for the 
town pound to the value of 10 pound shall be leved to be 
paid in wheat 5 bush butter 6 d , and | shall pay as much as a 
bushel of wheat." 

A controversy was going on about this time with regard 
to the Sudbury and Watertown bounds, and the town made 
"provision to prevent the encroachments of Watertown;" 
and a committee was appointed " to seek for the stopping of 
Watertown proceedings in coming too near our bound." 
The same year it was ordered that " a part of the town rate 
should be appropriated for the drum and halberd," and a 
rate was assessed "for repairing the Bridge, and Hugh Grif- 
fin was to have some pine poles for the staying of the same." 
In March, 1654, the controversy about the territorial bounds 
between Sudbury and Watertown was ended by the estab- 
lishment of a boundary line between the two towns, by 
agents appointed from both places. In 1655, "the line of 
the New Grant was run by John Ruddock, Thomas Noyes, 
and John Howe." 

But while the town was growing and increasing in strength, 
a controversy occurred which was of a somewhat serious char- 
acter. Questions arose relating to the division of the " two- 
mile grant," to the title of parties to certain lands, and to 
rights in the east side cow common. The controversy con- 
cerning this latter subject was in relation to "sizing" or 
"stinting" the common. It was specified when this land 
was reserved, that it " should never be ceded or laid down, 
without the consent of every inhabitant and townsman that 
hath right in commonage ; " and the rule for pasturing cat- 
tle upon it was, " The inhabitants are to be limited in the 
putting in of cattle upon the said common, according to the 
quantity of meadow the said inhabitants are rated in upon 
the division of the meadows." The rule of allowance on 
this basis was as follows : "For every two acres of meadow 
one beast, that is either cow, ox, bull or steer, or heifer 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 193 

above a year old, and every horse or mare above a year old 
to go as one beast and a half, and every six sheep to go for 
one beast, and that all cattle under a year old shall go with- 
out sizing." The endeavor to define rights of commonage, 
or the relation of the individual to this piece of town prop- 
erty, proved a difficult task. As might be expected among 
a people of positive natures, strong opinions were enter- 
tained, and decided attitudes were taken concerning a mat- 
ter of individual rights. The affair was not wholly confined 
to the town in its social and civil relations, but the church 
became connected with it. The result was that a council 
was called to adjust ecclesiastical matters, and advice was 
also sought and obtained of the General Court. 

It is not our purpose to give all the details of this once 
memorable case. We will, however, state a few facts that 
may suggest something of its general character. The case 
came before the people by a call in town-meeting for a vote 
as to whether they considered " the act of the selectmen in 
sizing the commons a righteous act." The affair not being 
satisfactorily adjusted in town-meeting, all the issues con- 
cerning the controversy, whether related to the cow com- 
mons or other matters in dispute, were laid before a com- 
mittee of the Colonial Court. In answer to a petition of 
Edmund Brown, Peter Noyes, Jr., Walter Haynes, and 
divers others of Sudbury, the Court ordered that Maj. Simon 
Willard, Ensign Jn° Sherman and Mr. Thomas Danforth 
should be a committee "to hear and determine the differ- 
ence between all or any of the inhabitants of Sudbury in 
reference to what is mentioned in the petition which petition 
is on file." (Colonial Records, Vol. IV., p. 228, date 1655.) 
The committee met at the ordinary kept by John Parmen- 
ter, and the questions which came before them were as fol- 
lows : first, as to the right or title of certain individuals to 
certain lands, and specifically as to some held by Rev. Ed- 
mund Brown and Hugh Griffin; second, as regarding the 
right of suffrage exercised by some not considered town 
inhabitants ; third, as regarding the right of sizing or stint- 
ing the common; fourth, as regarding the act of defacing 
the town records. The committee appointed by the Court 



194 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

to adjust matters rendered this report: "Concerning the title 
of lands appropriated to several inhabitants . . . we do not 
find lust cause to make valid their claims ; " and as concerns 
the land held by Mr. Brown the pastor of the Church there 
touching a part thereof some objection has been made and 
clamoring report laid against him, we do not find any just 
ground for the same." The committee concluded his titles 
were o- od, and confirmed them. Concerning the stinting of 
the common within the compass of the five miles, the com- 
mittee concluded that the rule was « not as clear as desira- 
ble • " and they made the following recommendations, which 
are 'given mainly in their own words: That, in the rule for 
stinting the common, respect should be had for both those 
whose estates had been weakened and those which had been 
prospered, that those of the former class should be consid- 
ered and proportioned according to their several allotments 
of meadow, which gave them their right in the other part 
of the common already determined, the rule for winch was 
in the Town Book, folio 27, and there was no disagree- 
ment about, and those of the latter class, namely, whose 
estate had been prospered, should be considered and propor- 
tioned according to the invoice of their estates given in for 
the county rate last past, without any respect had to their 
meadow formerly allotted them. The committee also de- 
clared that no person should have power to vote about the 
common » but such as have been allowed as free inhabitants 
of the town or have come upon the right of some that were 
so allowed " Since the committee found that the records, 
folio 58, touching the case, had been -crossed and defaced, 
they censured the act, and recommended that they be kept 
by the recorder of the court until there be a loving com- 
posure and agreement for former differences and a mutual 
choice of a lit person to keep the same." As some com- 
plaint had been made in reference to the title of Hugh Grif- 
fin's land, they stated that they considered his title valid. 
They finally concluded that every -allowed inhabitant ol the 
town should have his commonage according to his meadow 
or invoice of his estate at his pleasure ; " and that no person 
who is not an allowed inhabitant, or had meadow, m case ot 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 195 

voting should have any claim to commonage. The people 
of Sudbury expressed full assent to the report of the com- 
missioners, and returned " hearty thanks unto them for their 
paines faithfulness and love expressed." The council of 
churches having also met and considered the case, a for- 
mal adjustment of matters was made, and again things 
moved on in their accustomed way. "John Parmenter 
having expended the sum of 17-5-12 in entertaining both the 
council and committee appointed to end their differences, the 
Court orderes the said charges to be borne by all the town." 



CHAPTER XI. 

1675-1700. 

Philip's War : Sources of Information ; Cause and Nature. — Defensive 
Measures by the Town: Garrison- Houses ; Militia. — Defensive 
Measures by the Colony. — Services of the Town outside its Limits; 
List of Men Impressed. —Swamp Fight. — Services of Ephraim 
Curtis among the Nipnets: As a Messenger with Proposals of Peace; 
As a Guide in Captain Hutchinson's Expedition. — Signs of Indian 
Hostilities in and about the Town. — Edmund Brown's Letter. — 
Night Attack on the Indians, and Death of Netus. 

Over the hillsides the wild knell is tolling, 
From their far hamlets the yeomanry come; 

As thro' the storm-clouds the thunder-burst rolling 
Circles the beat of the mustering drum. 

O. W. Holmes. 

The last quarter of the seventeenth century began dark 
and threatening to the colonists. A memorable Indian war 
was at hand, and gloomy and portentous was the outlook as 
the year 1675 set in. Sudbury, on account of its frontier 
position, was to be badly harassed by the enemy; and per- 



196 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

haps no New England town became more prominent than 
this in the annals of that remarkable period. 

But, notwithstanding the prominence of Sudbury in this 
remarkable conflict, there is little information pertaining to 
it in the records of the town. This absence of information, 
however, is not very remarkable. The town books were for 
town business, and the military movements of that period 
largely related to the colony. The sources from which 
mainly we derive information are papers preserved in the 
State archives, historians of the period, and a valuable paper 
recently discovered among the old Court files. The paper 
last mentioned consists of a petition presented by the inhabi- 
tants of Sudbury to the General Court assembled Oct, 11, 
1676. This document settles the date of the Sudbury fight, 
and gives in detail some of the events connected with Philip's 
attack on the town. We shall refer to it as " The Old Peti- 
tion." 

Before commencing the narrative of the war, we will con- 
sider briefly the cause and nature of it. This war originated 
with and was conducted by Philip, a Wampanoag chieftain. 
His aboriginal name was Metacomet, but he was called Philip 
by Governor Prince, because of his bravery. Philip was a 
son of Massasoit, a friend of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, and 
lived at Mount Hope, near Bristol, R.I., a place on the west 
side of Mount Hope Bay. The Indian name of the place was 
Pokanoket. Metacomet, unlike his father, distrusted the 
English. He feared the gradual encroachment upon his 
broad forests betokened no good ; and he sought to check 
the English advance and increase by a devastating war. To 
accomplish his object, he sought alliance witli most of the 
tribes of New England, and so far succeeded that a huge 
portion of them were engaged in the hostilities that followed. 
With his combination of tribes, Philip had the material to do 
great mischief. 

' Probably of all the foes that New England ever encoun- 
tered, Philip of Pokanoket was most dreaded ; and this war 
was the most destructive of any Indian war waged for the 
same length of time in this country. Villages and hamlets 
faded before his savage force ; homes became smouldering 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 197 

ash-heaps ; and lands, smiling in the sunlight of civilized life, 
were left forsaken and desolate, again to be draped in the old 
forest shade. 

Besides the usual ferocity expected in an Indian combatant, 
the peculiar characteristics of the time and place aggravated 
the unhappy situation of the settlers. The wild condition 
of the country, the isolation of dwellings, the slow commu- 
nication of place with place, — all these were circumstances 
suited to arouse feelings of distrust, and to stir the inhabi- 
tants to a state of alarm. They were subjected to constant 
expectation of sudden Indian attack. Any sign might fore- 
bode the approach of the foe, and send the people to the 
shelter of their friendly garrisons. The strange foot-print of 
a moccasin on the outskirts of an outlying field, the freshly 
made trail in the forest, the mysterious smoke rising above 
the distant woodlands, or the dull sound of a gun in the 
thicket, were omens mysterious and strange. Besides the 
arousing of apprehension by signs of a material character, 
the situation was such that the superstitious nature of the 
inhabitants was wrought upon to an unusual degree. It was 
thought there were mysterious prognostications of what was 
to come. Strange omens were supposed to be seen in the 
sky, and wild, rushing sounds heard over the tree-tops, 
which were considered ominous of evil. So marked, indeed,' 
were these circumstances, that perhaps the impressions made 
were different from those of any other war in New Eng- 
land. 

Long after its devastations had ceased, the tale of Philip's 
raids was rehearsed by the farm-house fireside; tradition 
passed the story of the times to posterity; children received 
it from the lips of the parent who had heard, while within 
garrison walls, the wild whoop from the woods, or witnessed 
the skulk of the savage along forest, bramble, and rock. It 
was a wild, weird story to tell, and late listeners lingered 
about the bright hearthstone, and left with reluctance the 
warm kitchen precinct for the remote chamber beneath the 
old roof. 

For a better understanding of the particular relation of 
this war to Sudbury, we divide the subject thus : — 



1Q8 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

First, the defensive condition of the town when the con- 
flict set in. 

Second, The part its citizens took in military operations 

outside the town limits. 

Third, the Indians' near approach, their repulse, and the 

death of Netus. 

Fourth, the attack on the town and the defense of the gar- 
risons. 

Fifth, the contest at the causeway and old town bridge. 

Sixth, the battle at Green Hill, or the Sudbury fight. 

DEFENSIVE MEASURES. 

The principal means of defense in this war were the 
garrison-houses. These were not always under colonial 
authority, but were often private dwelling-places conven- 
iently located. They were sometimes a rendezvous for the 
town's militia in times of expected attack, and used occa- 
sionally to shelter colonial soldiers when sent to a belea- 
guered place.- Some of these garrison-houses were built 
strong, for the purpose of defense, while others were built 
in the ordinary way, and fortified when the danger became 
imminent. 

Sudbury had several of these places of defense, a knowl- 
edge of which has come down to us, namely : The Brown 
Garrison, the Walker Garrison, the Goodenow Garrison, 
the Haynes Garrison, two others whose names are now 
unknown, and a block-house. Of these places we give the 
following information, derived from personal knowledge, rec- 
ord, and tradition : — 

THE BROWN GARRISON. 

This stood on the present estate of Luther Cutting, about 
a dozen rods southeasterly of his residence, or a few rods 
east of the Sudbury and Framingham road, and about a half 
mile from the town's southern boundary. It had a gable 
roof, was made of wood, and lined with brick. It was per- 
haps built by Major Thomas Brown, and was owned and 
occupied by the descendants of the Brown family till a mod- 




THE BROWNE GARRISON HOUSE. 

From an original painting by A. S. Hudson, from descriptions given by persons 

once familiar with it. 



HISTORY OE SUDBURY. 199 

ern date. It was demolished about thirty-five years ago, 
when in the possession of Mr. Conant. 

THE WALKER GARRISON. 

The Walker Garrison-honse is in the west part of the 
town, a little south of the Massachusetts Central Railroad, 
on the Willard Walker estate. This building is a curious 
structure, with massive chimney, large rooms, and heavy 
frame-work. It is lined within the walls with upright plank 
fastened with wooden pins. It may have been erected by 
Thomas Walker, whose name, with others, is subscribed to 
"The Old Petition." 

THE GOODNOW GARRISON. 

This garrison stood a little southeasterly of the present 
Coolidge house, or a few rods northeast to east of the East 
Sudbury railroad station, and perhaps twenty or thirty rods 
from the South Sudbury and Wayland highway. A lane 
formerly went from the road to a point near the garrison. 
This house was standing about three-quarters of a century 
ago. Tradition states, that an old building a few feet square 
stood by it, which was called " the old barrack," and was 
removed to the Farr Farm. An old inhabitant, — C. G. 
Cutler, — who had been to the house in his early life, 
informed the writer that there was no mistake about this 
being the Goodnow Garrison ; for years ago it was generally 
considered so by the community. 

THE HAYNES GARRISON. 

This garrison stood on the Water-Row Road, by the mar- 
gin of the river meadow, a little northerly or northeasterly 
of the Luther Gooclenow house. It was about an eighth 
of a mile from the Wayland and Sudbury Centre highway, 
two or three rods from the road, and fronted south. In later 
years it was painted red. In 1876 it was still standing, but 
has since been demolished. It is supposed to have been 
erected by Walter Haynes, and was probably the place 
which, in the early records of the town, was repeatedly 
referred to as "Mr. Haynes' old house." 



200 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

One of the buildings which common tradition says was a 
garrison, but whose name is unknown, stood near the Adam 
How place, about twenty-five rods northwest of the house. 
It was one story high, and had a room at each end. For a 
time it was owned and occupied by Abel Parmenter, and 
was torn down years ago. It is stated by tradition, that, 
when the Wayside Inn was built, the workmen repaired to 
this house at night for safety. 

The garrisons previously mentioned were named from their 
early occupants. Parmenter was the name of the first occu- 
pant of this house of whom we have any knowledge ; if he 
was the first, then doubtless this house was formerly known 
as the Parmenter Garrison. 

The other garrison, the name of which is unknown, was 
north of the Gulf Meadows, and on or near the present 
Dwier Farm (Bent place). Tradition concerning this one 
is less positive than concerning the other. An old inhabi- 
tant, once pointing towards the old Bent house, said, "There 
is where the people used to go when the Indians were about." 
It is quite evident that the Bent house was not a garrison, 
for that was built about a century ago ; but across the road 
southwesterly there are indications that some structure once 
stood, which may have been a garrison. 

THE BLOCK-HOUSE. 

The block-house stood in the north part of the town, on 

the Israel Hayues Farm. It was situated, perhaps, from 

thirty to fifty rods southwest of the house of Leander 

Haynes, on a slight rise of ground. It was small, perhaps 

fifteen feet square, more or less, and so strongly built that it 

was with difficulty taken to pieces. It was demolished about 

three-quarters of a century ago, when owned by Mr. Moses 

Haynes. Mr. Reuben Rice of Concord, a relative of Mr. 

Haynes, when over ninety years of age informed the writer 

that when it was torn down he chanced to be passing by, 

and looked for bullet-marks, and believed he found some. 

He stated there was no mistake about the house being used 

as a garrison. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 201 

There may have been garrisons in town about which tra- 
dition is silent; and doubtless other dwelling's were put in 
a defensive attitude when Indian hostilities began. It is 
stated that " many houses were fortified and garrisoned." 
On the east side we have heard of no garrisons, but Rev. 
Edmund Brown fortified his house. In a letter sent to the 
Governor, Sept. 26, 1675, he states as follows: " I have been 
at a round charge to fortify my house, and except finishing 
the two flankers and my gate have finished. Now without 
four hands I cannot well secure it, and if for want of hands 
I am beaten out, it will be very advantageous to the enemy, 
and a thorn to the town." The men asked for were "ranted 
him ; and his house afforded a place of defense to the inhabi- 
tants of that locality, who were directed to resort to it in 
time of peril. After the war began the meeting-house was 
made a place of security, and fortifications were constructed 
about it. 

Such were some of the means provided for protection in 
the coming conflict. These were the strongholds that stout 
hearts defended. In view of their service, it is unfortunate 
that these relics have to such an extent been destroyed. But, 
as we have stated, only one remains. With regard to the 
others, all that can now be done is carefully to mark the site 
and preserve the traditions concerning them. 

MILITIA. 

Beside the garrison-houses, the town had a small force of 
militia. Says "The Old Petition": "The strength of Our 
towne upon y e Enemy's approaching it, consisted of eighty 
fighting men." These men were able bodied and strong for 
the work of war, liable to do duty for either country or 
town ; while others, younger and less vigorous, could stand 
guard and do some light service. When the war was fairly 
begun, the town's force was replenished by outside help. 
So that, with the people collected in garrisons, and the armed 
men able to fight in a sheltered place, a stout defense could 
be maintained against a considerably larger force. 



202 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



COLONIAL MEASURES OF DEFENSE. 

Beside the defensive measures adopted by the town, there 
were also others devised by the colony. The cause was a 
common one. If the frontier towns were left unprotected, 
the seaboard settlements would be rendered unsafe. Some 
of the defensive measures adopted by the colony, in which 
Sudbury shared, are set forth in the following papers: — 

Cambridge, 28: 1 mo. 1676. 
In obedience to an order of the Honorable Council, March, 1675-6, 
appointing us, whose names are underwritten, as a committee to consult 
the several towns of the county of Middlesex, with reference to the best 
means of the preservation of our out-towns, remote houses, and farms, 
for their security from the common enemy, we having sent to the several 
towns to send us their apprehensions by some one meet person of each 
town, this day we consulted concerning the same, and have concluded 
to purpose as followed). 

1. That the towns of Sudbury, Concord and Chelmsford be strength- 
ened with forty men apiece, which said men are to be improved in scout- 
ing between town and town, who are to be commanded by men of pru- 
dence, courage and interest in the said towns, and the parties in each 
town are to be ordered to keep together in some place commodious in 
said towns, and not in garrisoned houses; and these men to be upon 
charge of the country. 

2. That for the security of Billerica there be a garrison of a number 
competent at Weymessit, who may raise a thousand bushel of corn upon 
the lands of the Indians in that place, may be improved daily in scouting 
and ranging the woods between Weymessit and Andover, and on the 
west of Concord river on the east and north of Chelmsford, which will 
discover the enemy before he comes to the towns, and will prevent lurk- 
ing Indians about our towns. Also that they shall be in a readiness to 
succor any of these towns at anytime when in distress; also shall be 
ready to join with others to follow the enemy upon a sudden after their 
appearing. 

:;. That such towns as Lancaster, Groton, and Marlborough, that are 
forced to remove, and have not some advantage of settlement (peculiar) 
in the Bay, be ordered to settle at the frontier towns, that remain, for 
their strengthening; and the people of the said towns to which they are 
appointed, are to see to their accommodation in the said towns. 

4. That the said towns have their own men returned that are abroad, 
and their men freed from impressment during their present state. 

5. That there be appointed a select number of persons in each town 
of Middlesex, who are, upon any information of the distress of any town, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



203 



forthwith to repair to the relief thereof; and that such information may 
be seasonable, the towns are to dispatch posts, each town to the next, 
till notice be conveyed over the whole country, if need be. 

Your humble servants, 

Hugh Mason, 
Jonathan Danforth, 
Richard Lowdon. 



Another paper, setting forth suggestions for defensive 
measures, is the following : — 

For the better securing our frontier towns from the incursion of the 
enemy, it is ordered by this Court, and authority thereof, that in each 
and every of these towns hereinafter mentioned, respectively, shall be 
allowed for their defence a sutible numbers of soldiers, well armed and 
furnished with ammunition fit for service ; the number or proportion in 
such towns to be as follows, viz. 



Groton, 

Pawtucket, 

Sudbury, 

Braintree, 

Bradford, 

Haverhill, 

Chelmsford, 

Medfield, 



20 men. 
— men. 
30 men. 
15 men. 
10 men. 
20 men. 
20 men. 
30 men. 



Weymouth, 

Billerica, 

Andover, 

Concord, 

Milton, 

Hingham, 

Dedham, 



15 men. 
20 men. 
20 men. 
20 men. 
10 men. 
20 men. 
20 men. 



And it is further ordered, that each and every of the towns above 
mentioned, shall well and sufficiently maintain their several proportions 
of men with suitable provisions, respecting diet, at their own proper cost 
and charge during the time of their service. 

These garrison soldiers, together with those who are to be in the 
prosecution of the enemy, are to be raised out of the four counties in 
which the garrisons are to be settled, and that these soldiers that are 
raised out of the garrison towns, shall be allowed them in part of the 
garrison, according as their proportion shall be, and that the settling 
of these garrisons in the respective towns, as to the place, and also the 
commander-in-chief, together with direction for the improvements of 
said garrisons to the best advantage for the security of towns and per- 
sons, it shall and is hereby left to the committee of militia in the several 
towns, who are hereby required and impowered to act therein according 
to this order. And this to be instead of a line of garrisons formerly 
proposed. 

The deputies have past this with reference to the consent of the 
honored magistrates hereto. William Torrky, Clerk. 



204 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Still another paper, showing the country's alarming condi- 
tion, and the effort made by the colony to meet it, is the fol- 
lowing: It was ordered, May 3, that each of the frontier 
towns be "divided into so many parties as a meete number 
may each day by turns be sent forth vpon the scout w th 
whom a party of Indians at the charge of the county shall be 
joined." (Colonial Records, Vol. V., p. 79.) These were 
to be managed by suitable commanders appointed by the 
military committee, and the soldiers who were absent "in 
service appertaining to sayed townes " were to be returned 
home and freed from the impress. In connection with said 
order, Sudbury was mentioned. Six others only were given. 
It was also ordered, at the same time, that when any town 
was assailed by the savages the chief commander, if present 
in any town, shall "send forth with what ayde can be spared 
with safety at home, for the security of the distressed." It 
was also ordered, — lest the frontier towns be endangered by 
persons leaving them in an exposed condition, — that no per- 
son "who is by law engaged to travne, watch, ward or scont, 
is to leave the town he is an inhabitant of, without the con- 
sent of the committee of mellitie, or vpon their denial of the 
council of the commonwealth." Also, no party capable of 
doing garrison duty was to absent himself without the leave 
of the garrison commander. The Court also ordered, that 
soldiers should be employed daily "in scouting and warding, 
to prevent the skulking of the enemy about the sayd townes, 
and to give tymely notice of approaching danger, and also 
that the brush in highways and other places [judged neces- 
sary] be cut up;" "such persons, youth, &c." as were not in 
"traine bands, and exempt by law," were to be under obliga- 
tions " to attend command for that service." 

Thus the inhabitants of the frontier towns were to remain 
at their posts, and fight. If they fled to the forest, it was a 
lurking place for the foe; if they ventured for security to the 
seaboard settlements, they were liable to seizure and exile. 
All they could do was to gird themselves for the contest, 
and, gathered about their cordon of garrisons, await the com- 
ing foe. 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 205 

SERVICES OF SUDBURY OUTSIDE ITS OWN TERRITORY. 

The people did not have long to wait inactive about their 
garrisons ; for though at the beginning of the war the town 
of Sudbury was not attacked, as the Indians chiefly confined 
hostilities to the county of Plymouth, yet it was soon called 
upon to send aid to other places. Nov. 22, 1675, a warrant 
came from Major Willard to John Grout, Josiah Haynes and 
Edmund Goodnow, who called themselves the " humble ser- 
vants the militia of Sudbury," requiring the impressment of 
nine able men to the service of the country. They state to 
the Governor and Council that they have impressed the fol- 
lowing men, namely: William Wade, Samuel Bush, John 
White, Jr., Thomas Rutter, Peter Noyes, Jr., James Smith, 
Dennis Headly, Mathew Gibbs, Jr., and Daniel Harrington ; 
but that they wish to have them released. Joseph Graves, 
master of Harrington, states that his servant had not cloth- 
ing fit for the service; that he was well clothed when he was 
impressed before, but that he wore his clothes out in that 
service, and could not get his wages to buy more. The ser- 
vice that he was formerly impressed for was the guarding of 
families in "Natick Bounds." One of those families is sup- 
posed to be that of Thomas Eames, which was attacked by 
the Indians near the outbreak of the war. (See Chapter II.) 
A further reason for their release from this service is found 
in the following extracts from their petition : " Considering 
our condition as a frontier town, and several of our men 
being already in the service, our town being very much scat- 
tered ; " furthermore, that, several families being sickly, no 
use could be made of them for " watching, warding, scout- 
ing or impress, whereby the burden lies very hard on a few 
persons." 

But, notwithstanding the imperiled condition of the peo- 
ple, we find that the town was represented a few weeks 
later in the "swamp fight," which was one of the hard- 
fought battles of the war. This conflict occurred Dec. 19, 
1675, in what is now Kingston, R. I. At this place the Nar- 
ragansett Indians had a stronghold that the English resolved 
to attack. For this purpose an expedition of one thousand 



206 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

men was fitted out from the united colonies of Massachusetts, 
Plymouth, and Connecticut, under command of Major Josiah 
Winslow, Governor of the Plymouth Colony. The march 
of the expedition was in winter, and heavy snows impeded 
the progress of the troops. The fort, for one built by 
Indians, was unusually strong. It was situated on a few 
acres of upland, in a swampy morass. The work was con- 
structed of pallisades, surmounted by brush work, and the 
way to it was by fallen trees, which could be protected by 
firing from a block-house. As the English charged over this 
bridge, they were swept by the fire of the foe in a murderous 
manner, and before the fight was over seventy of the English 
were slain, and one hundred and fifty were wounded, while 
the Narragansetts, it is supposed, lost about one thousand. 
Sudbury was represented in Captain Mosely's company, 
which company, together with Captain Davenport's, it is 
said, led the van. Among the nine of Captain Mosely*s 
men who were wounded was Richard Adams of Sudbury. 

Not only did Sudbury furnish its quota- of militia, but it 
supplied farther aid to the colony by the services of Lieut. 
Ephraim Curtis, the famous guide and scout. Mr. Curtis 
was a carpenter by trade, and at this time about thirty-three 
years of age. He had an intimate acquaintance with the 
country and its native inhabitants, and could speak their 
language with fluency. One prominent service that he per- 
formed was in acting as a messenger of the colonial authori- 
ties to the Nipnet Indians, who inhabited western and cen- 
tral Massachusetts. Supposing that an alliance of those 
Indians with Philip had not already been made, or that, if 
made, it might be broken, the authorities selected Ephraim 
Curtis to go among them and make overtures of peace. In 
giving information to the country of what had been done to 
avert t lie war, the authorities state as follows: "When our 
forces were senl nut against Philip, We to satisfy and secure 
them, (the Nipnets), sent them, by Ephraim Curtis, a dec- 
laration with the public seal, that we had no design or intent 
to disturb them or any other Indians, that would remain in the 
plantation peaceable. Which message and messenger were 
rudely entertained by many of them there assembled, and the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 207 

messenger much endangered by the younger men, and not 
with any satisfaction by the sachems, as the event showed." 
Lieutenant Curtis went on more than one expedition to the 
Nipnets. June 25, he was sent "to make a perfect discovery 
of the motions of the Nipmng Indians." In a letter to the 
colonial authorities, dated July 4, he says that he delivered 
the letter to the committee at Brookfield, and from there 
went directly to the Indians, whom he found at the same 
place where he had met them before. The task undertaken 
by Curtis in carrying out his embassy was dangerous in the 
extreme, and his thrilling experiences as set forth in a letter 
addressed to the Governor and Council, July 16, show a 
sagacity and daring unsurpassed even in those heroic times. 
We will give this letter in substance, quoting verbatim as 
far as space will allow : " Whereas your Honors employed 
your servant to conduct and also to make a perfect discovery 
of the motions of the Nipmugs and western Indians, Your 
Honor may be pleased here to see my return and behaviour." 
After giving some incidents of the journey before he reached 
Brookfield, he goes on to say, that, entering the woods, they 
proceeded westward, till they discovered an Indian trail, 
which they followed many miles, till they came to "the low 
river by Springfield old road." He saj^s, " Here we saw new 
footings of Indians, and so, looking out sharp, in about two 
miles riding we saw two Indians, which when I saw, I sent 
the Indians that were with me from Marlborow, to speak with 
them, but as soon as they had discovered us, they ran away 
from us, but with fast riding and calling, two of our Indians 
stopped one of them, the other ran away. We asked this 
Indian, where the other Indians were. He being surprised 
with fear, so he only told us that the Indians were but a 
little way from us. So then I sent the Marlborow Indians 
before, to tell them that the messenger of the Governor of 
the Massachusetts was coming with peaceable words, but 
when he came to them they would not believe him." Mr. 
Curtis describes their place of encampment as being an 
island, in area about four acres, encompassed by a broad, 
miry swamp. Before reaching the river there met them at 
least forty Indians, some with their guns on their shoulders, 



208 rrisroRY of sudburv. 

others with them in their hands ready cocked and primed ; 
and most of those next to the river presented at them, 
lie addressed them in the name of the Governor, whom he 
ealled his master, the Great Sachem of the Massachusetts, 
and required them to own their fidelity. He informed them 
that he came not to fight or to hurt them, but as a messenger 
from the Governor. He states that there was a great uproar 
among them, and some would have him killed. Says he, 
" I requested their sachems to come over the river, but they 
refused, saying that I must come over to them. My com- 
pany was something unwilling, for they thought themselves 
in very great danger where they were. I told them we 
had better never have seen them, than not to speak to the 
sachems, and if we ran from them in the time of this tumult 
they would shoot after us, and kill some of us. So with 
much difficulty we got over the river, and moist meadow, to 
the island where they stood to face us at our coming out 
of the mire, many Indians with their guns presented at us 
ready cocked and primed, so we rushed between them and 
called for their sachems. Still the uproar continued with 
such noise that the air rang. I required them to lay down 
their arms, and they commanded us to put up our arms 
first and come off our horses, which I refused to do. With 
much threatening and persuasion at last the uproar [ceased]. 
Many of them said they would neither believe me nor my 
master, without he would send them two or three bushels of 
powder. At length I spoke with their sachems which were 
iive, and their other grandees, which I think were twelve 
more. Our Natic Indians seemed to be very industrious, all 
this time to still the tumult, and so persuade the Indians, 
and as I came to speak with the sachems we dismounted 
and put up our arms." Mr. Curtis says their number was 
about two hundred. (State Archives, Vol. LXVII., p. 215.) 
Thus important and perilous was the work in which Curtis 
engaged for the colon}'; and that he was selected for the 
undertaking indicates the confidence of the authorities in 
both his courage and sagacity. It may be in connection with 
work among the Nipnets that the following order came to 
the constables of Sudbury, July 16, directing them "to im- 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 209 

press two or three valuable horses with men and arms as 
Ephraim Curtis shall require." These were to be delivered 
to Curtis, and to accompany him, with two or three " able 
and confiding Indians which Captain Gookin will provide to 
go with him on the country's service." The order was to be 
carried out with all speed. If the carrying out of this order 
related to work among the Nipnets, then more than one Sud- 
bury citizen participated in it and encountered its perils. 

Still another service that was rendered by Curtis was in 
connection with the ill-fated expedition sent out under com- 
mand of Capt. Edward Hutchinson. July 27, 1675, Captain 
Hutchinson was ordered to take with him Capt. Thomas 
Wheeler of Concord, and a score or more of his troop of 
horse, Ephraim Curtis as a guide, and three Christian Indi- 
ans as interpreters, and forthwith to repair to the Nipmuck 
country, to ascertain the movements of the Indians. The 
company went from Cambridge to Sudbury, July 28, 1675, 
and August 1 they arrived at Brookfield. They there learned 
that the Indians were about ten miles away. Messengers 
were sent to inform them of the approach of the English 
with friendly intentions. An interview was had with the 
sachems, who promised to meet the English near Brook- 
field the next morning. At the appointed time the English 
repaired to the place agreed upon, but the Indians were not 
there. It was considered inexpedient to follow them fur- 
ther; but, urged by the people of Brookfield, they pro- 
ceeded, contrary to the advice of their guides, several miles, 
to a place near a swamp, when they found themselves in an 
ambuscade. The Indians, consisting of two or three hun- 
dred, suddenly attacked the little company, killing eight and 
wounding three. Among the killed was Sydrack (or Shad- 
rack) Hapgood of Sudbury, and among the wounded were 
Captains Hutchinson and Wheeler. A retreat was at once 
made to Brookfield ; and, having reached there, the soldiers 
entered one of the strongest houses and prepared for defense. 
Ephraim Curtis and Henry Young from Concord were sent 
to acquaint the Council at Boston of their imperiled condi- 
tion. The brave emissaries started at once on their venture- 
some mission ; but the town was so beset with the savages 



210 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

that they were forced back to the garrison. Soon afterwards 
the house was assailed with great fury. Young, looking 
from the garret window, was shot and mortally wounded. 
The night that followed was terrible. The shot pelted on 
the walls like hail, and the Indians attempted to set the 
building on fire. The situation was critical, the ammunition 
was growing scant, and unless something was done to bring 
relief all would inevitably be killed or taken captive. The 
undertaking was extremely hazardous. To succeed required 
a man of great courage and endurance, with a sagacity suffi- 
cient to outmatch the foe. Few were fit for such a service, 
even if any could be found to serve. But the task was to 
fall upon some one, and the man selected was Ephraim Cur- 
tis. Again the bold adventurer set forth from the garrison, 
a lone soldier, to rely on his prowess and a protecting Provi- 
dence to shield him on his course. Captain Wheeler in his 
official report states of the affair as follows: "I spake to 
Ephraim Curtis to adventure forth again on that service, and 
to attempt it on foot as the way wherein was the most hope 
of getting away undiscovered. He readily assented, and 
accordingly went out; but there were so many Indians every 
where threatened, that he could not pass, without apparent 
hazard of life, so he came back again, but towards morning 
the said Ephraim adventured forth the 3d time, and was fain 
to creep on his hands and knees for some space of ground 
that he might not be discovered by the enemy, but through 
God's mercy he escaped their hands, and got safely to Marl- 
boro, though very much spent and ready to faint by reason 
of want of sleep before he went from us, and his sore travel 
nicrht and day in that hot season till he got thither." On 
arriving at Marlboro he met Major Simon Willard and Capt. 
James Parker of Groton, with forty-six men, who were there 
to scout between Marlboro, Lancaster, and Groton. These, 
on receiving intelligence of affairs at Brookfield, hastened at 
once with relief. They arrived August 7, just in season to 
rescue the survivors. After this narration, it is unnecessary 
to speak of the bravery of this Sudbury scout, or the value 
of his services to the country. It was a forlorn hope upon 
which he went forth, and none better than he knew the haz- 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 211 

ardous nature of his task, or the sad consequences of capture. 
Many weary miles of travel lay between him and the sea- 
board settlements, but, tired and faint, he sped on his way 
till he had faithfully discharged his trust, and sent the res- 
cuers to his beleaguered comrades. 

But the time was near when Sudbury was to need all her 
resources for the defense of her own territory. The foe that 
hitherto largely operated in the county of Plymouth was 
soon to invade that of Middlesex, and make Sudbury the 
scene of most important events. The first approach of the 
Indians to the town and its vicinity with hostile intent was, 
we judge, in small bands, which ranged the forest in an inde- 
pendent way, or which acted as detachments to spy out the 
land. These scouting parties alarmed the inhabitants, who 
sent messages to the colonial authorities, with a statement of 
facts and request for relief. The indications are that the 
colonial authorities did not anticipate that great peril was so 
near. After the defeat of the Narragansetts in the swamp 
fight, it was supposed that the Indians were in a crippled 
condition, and that the devastating effect of that fight would 
tend to discourage and keep them in check. To so great an 
extent was a sense of security felt by the authorities, that in 
some cases soldiers were dismissed from the garrison-houses. 
Captain Brocklebank, who was stationed at Marlboro, asked 
to be dismissed from that place, stating that he had little to 
do. But the weakness of the enemy was evidently overesti- 
mated ; and it was not long before the frontier towns were 
made aware that a formidable foe was near. Feb. 23, 1675, 
Hugh Clark stated to the Council, that he " being the last 
week upon the scout with Capt. Gibbs, about Lancaster, 
Concord and Sudbury, found several houses deserted, having 
corn in them, and cattle about them, belonging to the late 
inhabitants thereof, who for fear left their habitations." He 
states that they found at least about sixty bushels of corn in 
one house. And he assured the Council that "it would be 
of advantage to the Indians and straighten the English unless 
something is done to prevent it." 

The Rev. Edmund Brown, who, as we have before noticed, 
fortified his house, sent information to the authorities by 



212 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Ensign Grout aboul the presence of a lurking enemy in Sud- 
b He savs: •• h is reported that our woods are pestered 

with Indians. One Adams within our bounds was shot at 
by a lurkincr Indian or more. He was shol through the 
,.;, ;it and shirt near to the arm pit. One Smith walking the 
woods was assailed by 3 or 4 Indians, whom he discovered 
swooping down a hill toward him, but Smith saved himseU 
by his legs One Joseph Freeman coming up about 4 mile 
Brook discovered two Indians, one in the path presenting 
his gun at him in the way (in a bright moonlight night), but 
Freeman dismounting shot at him, and mounting rode for it. 
One Joseph [Shaley] coming home from Marlboro on I hurs- 
day Last discovered Indians in our bounds, one of which made 
a shot at him, the bullet passing by him, but being mounted 
and tiding for it he escaped. One Joseph Curtis, son to 
Ephraim Curtis on Saturday last heard 3 volleys of shot 
m ade by Indians between us and Weston. This being to 
loll „. Ensign Grout can give a full narrative to your Honor 
■md Councill. The consideration of all which I hope will 
excite you : : : to order that these woods may be scoured 
and that our town of Sudbury a frontier town may be ena- 
bled to contribute aid therein and defend itself with its 
quantity of men, I humbly move. And this I shall [present] 
unto the Honorable Councill that we may not have men 
pressed out of our small town." Date, -Sudbury 26* 7* mo. 
In another letter dated -Sudbury 7* of 12* mo. 7o, Mr. 
Browll refer* to a late order of the authorities dismissing 
garrison soldiers, and requests that John Gleason, who had 
been impressed but returned in safety, might be at his dis- 
posal He also speaks of Zenias Parmenter, whom they 
"were pleased to free from impress." He objected to 
havincr his guard dismissed, on any general order tor the 
dismissal of garrisons, since he maintained it at his own 

expense. . . ., 

Thus, towards the close of 1675, Sudbury and its vicinity 
felt a sense of insecurity, because of a lurking toe Ihe 
indications are. that before the Indians made an advance 
m great force they came in small detachments or bands, 
doing occasional mischief, and keeping the inhabitants in 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 213 

a state of suspense. No one was safe who went abroad 
unarmed ; and those living in the more exposed localities 
had even abandoned their homes. In the instance related 
by Hugh Clark, the flight was precipitous, the corn being- 
left in the crib. But it was not long after these evidences 
of a mere scattered foe before there were indications that the 
town was to suffer a more general attack by a considerably 
increased force. In the towns beyond its western border 
more or less havoc had already been made, and one after 
another of them had already succumbed. Feb. 10, 1675, 
Lancaster suffered by the loss of fifty killed or taken cap- 
tive ; and the same month a requisition was made upon Con- 
cord and Sudbury requiring them " forthwith to impress 8 
carts in each town for the bringing down of goods of such 
persons of Lancaster as being bereaved by the late hand of 
God are disabled from continuing there." By March 13, 
Groton was made desolate, and forty dwellings were burned; 
and Marlboro alone remained between Sudbury and the vast 
wilderness that sheltered the foe. The first blow that fell 
on the town, that has been noted by historians of that day, 
was on the 10th of March, 1676. Says Mather, " Mischief 
was done, and several lives were cut off by the Indians. An 
humbling Providence, inasmuch as many churches were this 
day fasting and praying." This attack on the town was evi- 
dently sufficient to put the people more on their guard, and 
the better prepared them to meet the great force which was to 
assail them in the following month. It was about three days 
before this attack of March 10 that Rev. Edmund Brown's 
letter was dated, in which he writes to the authorities, and 
mentions the " eminent danger yet remaining over our heads 
which occasions divers of our towns to make address for 
some grant and with good success." Eleven days after this 
attack, " at the motion and request of Ensign Grout of Sud- 
bury, on behalf of Lieut. Ephraim Curtis, it was ordered that 
the said Curtis, together with any other volunteers which 
shall join with him, shall march under his command into the 
woods, and endeavor to surprise, kill, or destroy, any of the 
Indians our enemies : : : and he may expect such encour- 
agement as the late order of the General Court directs." 



214 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

THE NEAR APPROACH OF THE INDIANS, THEIR REPULSE, 
AND THE DEATH OF NETUS. 

While the prospect was thus threatening, the design of 
the Indians for a season was effectually stayed, and a disas- 
trous invasion prevented, by a hold move made by the inhab- 
itants of the town. The event referred to occurred March 
27, 1676. A force of savages, near three hundred in num- 
ber, were within about a half mile of Sudbury's western 
boundary. The force was led by Netus, the Nipmuc cap- 
tain. (See Chapter II.) This band was intent on mischief. 
It was on the trail for prey. Flushed with the expectation 
of easy victory, they waited the dawn of day to begin their 
foul work, and seize such persons and spoil as were found 
outside the garrisons. On Sabbath night they made their 
encampment within half a mile of a garrison. Their mis- 
chievous course through the previous day had been so little 
opposed that they felt secure as if in a world of peace. But 
the English were on their track. 

Intelligence of their presence at Marlboro had reached 
Sudbury, and a movement was made to oppose them. A 
score of bold citizens set forth for the beleaguered place. 
On their arrival at Marlboro they were reinforced by twenty 
soldiers, who were taken from the garrisons, and the two 
forces went in search of the enemy. Before daybreak they 
discovered them asleep about their fires. The English, in 
night's stillness, crept close upon the camp. Wrapped in 
slumber, and unsuspicious of what was so near, the Indians 
were suddenly startled by a destructive volley from an unex- 
pected foe. The English took them by complete surprise. 
So effectually had they directed their fire that the Indians 
speedily fled. About thirty of their number were wounded, 
of whom it is said fourteen afterwards died. Not only were 
the Indians numerically weakened, but demoralized some- 
what by such a bold and unlooked-for assault. Probably 
this act saved Sudbury for a time. Netus was slain, and for 
near a month there was a cessation of hostilities within and 
about the town. 

As the importance of this event is considerable, and the 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 215 

evidence is quite clear concerning it, we will present the 
narrative as given by several authorities. Says Mather: 
"March 27 th some of the inhabitants of Sudbury being 
alarmed by what the Indians did yesterday to their neigh- 
bors in Malbury, apprehending that they might come upon 
the enemy unawares, in case they should march after them 
in the night time, they resolved to try what might be done, 
and that, not altogether without success, for toward the 
morning whilst it was yet dark, they discovered where the 
Indians lay by their fires. And such was their boldness, as 
that about 300 of them lay all night within half a mile of one 
of the garrison houses, in that town where they had done 
so much mischief the day before. Albeit the darkness was 
such as an English man could not be distinguished from 
an Indian ; yet ours being 40 in number discharged several 
times upon them, and (as Indians taken at that time do con- 
fess) God so disposed of the bullets that were shot at that 
time, that no less than thirty Indians were wounded, of 
whom there were 14 that died, several of which had been 
perpetrators in the late bloody tragedies. They fired hard 
upon the English, but neither killed nor wounded so much 
as one man in the skirmish." 

Captain Brocklebank, garrison commander at Marlboro, 
states thus in his report to the colonial authorities : " Sabbath 
day night there came about 20 men from Sudbury, and we 
out of the several garrisons drew 20 more, and in the night 
time they went out to see if they could discover the enemy 
and give them some check." He states, that " they found 
them by their fires, and fired on them, and they ran away ; 
but their number being few, and not knowing the number 
of the enemy, but apprehending by their noise and firing at 
them that the force of the enemy was considerable, they 
returned home without the loss of any men or wounds from 
the enemy, and only one man had his hand shattered by the 
breaking of a gun." 

Thus straightforward and plain are these authorities in 
their description of this nightly encounter. No better evi- 
dence could be desired than Captain Brocklebank's letter. 
From these narratives we are informed that the people of 



216 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Sudbury formed this bold project ; that a score of her brave 
citizens went forth to stay the course of the Indian invaders; 
that they went beyond the limits of Sudbury into a neigh- 
boring town that had already been attacked by the foe; 
and that, upon receiving aid from a government official in 
command of the garrison, they made this successful assault. 
There is no evidence that when they started they had any 
assurance that reinforcements would be afforded them. They 
knew the enemy were in force at Marlboro, and courageously 
marched to check their advance. Whether the reinforce- 
ments that they received at Marlboro were citizens of that 
town, or some of the soldiers who were sent there by the 
government, we are not informed. We know that Captain 
Brocklebank was a government commander, and that a part 
of the Marlboro garrison were government men, some of 
whom subsequently accompanied Captain Brocklebank to 
the Sudbury fight. 

That Sudbury people in this affair acted not simply in 
their own defense is implied in "The Old Petition," in which 
it is stated that "the Indians in their disastrous invasions 
were resolved by our mine to revenge y e reliefe which our 
Sudbury volunteers approached to distressed Marlborough, 
in slaying many of y e enemy & repelling y e rest." 



CHAPTER XII. 

1675-1700. 

Philip's War. — Indian Invasion; Date. — Number of the Enemy. — 
Philip's Preparation. — Indian Powwow. — Movements of the Eng- 
lish. — General Attack on the Town. — Assault on the Haynes Garri- 
son. — Hostilities on the East Side. — Resistance of the English. — 
Arrival of Reinforcements ; Concord Company, Watertown Company. 
— The Indians Driven Over the Causeway and Bridge. — Attempt 
to Reinforce Captain Wadsworth. — Description Given in " The Old 
Petition." 

Up the hillside, down the glen, 
Rouse the sleeping citizen; 
Summon out the might of. men! 
It is coming, — it is nigh ! 
Stand your homes and altars by ; 
On your own free thresholds die. 

Whittier. 

Havtng noticed the course of hostilities in and about 
Sudbury by scattered detachments and skulking squads of 
Indians, we will now consider a more prominent event of the 
war, — namely, the attack upon the town by King Philip-. 
with one of the most formidable forces that he ever led 
along the New England frontier. We have found no evi- 
dence that, up to April, 1676, Philip himself ever visited the 
place; but in the final assault the great chieftain directed his 
warriors in person. At the time of the invasion there was 
nothing west of Sudbury to obstruct his course. The last 
town was Marlboro, and this was devastated as by a close 
gleaner in the great field of war. The people had almost 
wholly abandoned the place ; the dwellings were reduced to 
ash-heaps, and a few soldiers only were quartered there to 
guard the road to Brookfield and the Connecticut. Sudbury 
at this time was the objective point of King Philip. That 

217 



218 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

he had a special purpose in assailing the place, other than 
what led him to conduct the war elsewhere, is implied in 
" The Old Petition," in the words before quoted, where the 
object of revenge is mentioned. Certain it is, he had a 
strong force, and fought hard and long to destroy the place. 

DATE OF PHILIP'S ATTACK ON THE TOWN. 

Before entering, however, on the details of the conflict, we 
will notice the time at which it occurred. Previous to the dis- 
covery of "The Old Petition," two dates had been assigned, 
namely, the 18th and the 21st of April. Various authorities 
were quoted in support of each. So important was the mat- 
ter considered, that a committee was appointed to examine 
evidence on the subject. The committee reported in favor 
of the 21st. (Report of Kidder and Underwood.) Notwith- 
standing this decision, opinions still differed ; but the dis- 
covery of " The Old Petition " has fully settled this matter, 
and established beyond question that the date of Philip's 
attack on the town and the garrisons, and the "Sudbury 
Fight," was the 21st. We can understand how, before the 
discovery of this paper, opinions might vary; how an histo- 
rian might mistake as to a date, and a monument might per- 
petuate° the error. When President Wadsworth erected a 
slate-stone at the grave of Captain Wadsworth, the date in- 
scribed might have been taken from the historian Hubbard, 
who might 1 have received it from an unreliable source. But 
we can hardly suppose that a mistake could occur in the paper 
above referred to concerning the date of this event. This 
paper is a calm, deliberate document, signed by inhabitants 
of Sudbury, and sent to the Colonial Court less than six 
months after the invasion by Philip. It gives the date of 
the invasion in the following words: "An Account of Losse 
Sustained by Severall Inhabitants of y e towne of Sudbury by 
y« Indian Enemy 21 st April 1G76." 

NUMBER OF THE ENEMY. 

Philip arrived with his force at Marlboro on or about the 
18th of April, and soon started for Sudbury. The number 
of his warriors has been variously estimated. In the " Old 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 219 

Indian Chronicle " it is given as " about a thousand strong." 
Gookin states, in his history of the Christian Indians, " that 
upon the 21 st of April about mid-day tidings came by many 
messengers that a great body of the enemy not less as was 
judged than fifteen hundred, for the enemy to make their 
force seem very large there were many women among them 
whom they had fitted with pieces of wood cut in the forms 
of guns, which these carried, and were placed in the centre, 
they had assaulted a place called Sudbury that morning, and 
set fire of sundry houses and barns of that town . . . oivino- 
an account that the people of the place were greatly dis- 
tressed and earnestly desired succor." 

Besides Gookin's statement as to the presence of squaws 
in the company, we have the authority of Mrs. Rowlandson, 
who mentions an Indian that went to the Sudbury fight 
accompanied by his squaw with her pappoose upon her back. 
Mrs. Rowlandson was the wife of Rev. Mr. Rowlandson of 
Lancaster, and was made captive in the attack on that town. 
She went with Philip to Sudbury, and became a witness to 
some of the sad scenes there, which were published in a book 
entitled "Mrs. Rowlandson's Removes." 

Other evidence of the size of Philip's force is found in the 
" Old Petition," which says, " Let ye Most High have ye 
high praise due unto him, but let not ye unworthy Instru- 
ments be forgotten. Was there with vs any towne so beset 
since ye ware begun, with twelve or fourteen hundred fight- 
ing men, warriors, sagamores, from all Parts with their men 
of Arms ? " 

THE PREPARATION. 

Before the Indians went to Sudbury they made careful 
preparation. Says Mrs. Rowlandson, " They got a company 
together to pow-wow." The manner as she describes it is as 
follows : — 

There was one that kneeled upon a deer skin with a company round 
him in a ring, who kneeled striking upon the ground with their hands 
and with sticks, and muttering or humming with their mouths. Beside 
him who kneeled in the ring there also stood one with a gun in his hand. 
Then he on the deer skin made a speech, and all manifest an assent to 



220 HISTORY OF SUDBUBT. 

it and so they did many times together. Then they bid him with a gun, 
ao out of the ring, which he did, but when he was out they called him m 
a-ain but he seemed to make a stand. Then they called the more ear- 
nestly till he turned again. Then they all sang. Then they gave him 
two guns, in each hand one, and so he on the deer skin began aga.n, and 
at the end of every sentence in his speaking they all assented, and hum- 
ming or muttering with their mouths, and striking upon the ground with 
their hands. Then they bid him with the two guns go out of the ring 
again, which he did a little way. Then they called him again, but he 
made a stand. So they called. him with greater earnestness But he 
stood reeling and wavering as if he knew not whether he should stand or 
fall or which way to go. Then they called him with exceeding great 
vehemence, all of them, one and another. After a little while he turned 
in staggering as he went, with his arms stretched out, in each hand a 
K un "As soon as he came in they all sang, and rejoiced exceeding 
awhile and then he upon the deer skin made another speech, unto which 
they all assented in a rejoicing manner, and so they ended their business 
and forthwith went to Sudbury fight. 

The foregoing statements plainly show that a large force 
was being led to Sudbury. The great chieftain doubtless fell 
sure of his prey. Mrs. Rowlandson says. -To my thinking 
they went without any scruple but that they should prosper 
and crain the victory.- Philip was not aware of the strong 
reinforcements which were to be sent to the town's rebel. 
The tramp of Wadsworth and his company had not as yet 
reached Ids ears. For aught he knew, the forest resounded 
with only the tramp of his own stalwart men. 

But while the Indians were preparing for the attach, the 
English were by uo means idle. Things were fast being put 
in readiness to meet the worst. The blow received was to 
be returned, and the spoils of conquest were to be dearly 
obtained. Notwithstanding the customary cunning of the 
Indians, and their usual sly way, the attack in this instance 
was not an entire surprise. Their coming was announced by 
several acts of hostility on the day previous to the general 
assault, According to tradition, they began their marauding 
by burning several houses and killing several inhabitants. 
Among the slain were a Mr. Boone and son, and Mr. 
Thomas Plympton, who was endeavoring to conduct them, 
with some "of their goods, to a place of safety. This skir- 
mishing on the outskirts put the people on their guard, and 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 221 

warned them to flee for their lives. It showed the hostile 
intent of the enemy, and the necessity of making haste if 
they would escape capture or death. Adequately to describe 
the state of affairs in Sudbury on the eve of this Indian inva- 
sion would be a difficult task. We may, however, conjec- 
ture that the scene was a thrilling one, and that it was a 
time of uncertainty and anxious suspense to the inhabitants. 
What had come upon others was about to come upon them. 
The dismal intelligence of disaster to far-off settlements was 
to be made more vivid by the same dread foe in their midst. 
It was their dwellings that were soon to be ash-heaps, their 
herds that were to be spoils of war, their fields that were to 
suffer invasion. The wild omens were to bring presaged 
wrath to their doors; and the warm homes once smiling with 
comfort were to be forsaken and left to the foe. With but 
a partial realization of what was to come, we may conclude 
that Sudbury was never before or since so astir. There 
were men struggling for life ; families hurrying together to 
the shelter of garrisons, with whatever of household goods 
they could snatch; loving ones bearing the feeble and sick in 
their arms, and all rushing to a place of safety. From hither 
and yon flocked the company. Again and again the latch- 
string was flung loose from the garrison, as one by one new 
arrivals came .in. None knew when they abandoned their 
homes that they would see them again, nor that they them- 
selves would ever reach a safe place. The Indian invader 
was hard by their track. He might spring any moment upon 
them. Each object might be his place of concealment. He 
lurked by the woody wayside, he crept along the margin of 
the open lands ; and on the outskirt of the woodland he peered 
to get a sight at some late refugee whom he might bear away 
as his prey. 

Within the garrisons the scenes were also, doubtless, of a 
stirring character. These places were soon to be isolated. 
Communication with them was to be cut off. They were to 
be surrounded by a fierce horde of beleaguering savages ; 
and before help could arrive the doors might be battered by 
tomahawks, or the torch be applied to the wall. Anxiously 
might those who had entered these places watch and await 



222 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

coming events ; eagerly may the} 7 have looked to catch a 
glimpse of their belated townsmen who might be coming 
from the more exposed outskirts, or who, like the brave 
Thomas Plympton, had gone forth to bring to the garrison 
the dwellers on lonely homesteads. The sound of firing over 
the distant woodlands ; the smoke rising in clouds upon the 
far-off horizon ; occasional now arrivals from different locali- 
ties, bringing evidence of the near approach of the Indians, — 
all these would present a scene of a startling character ; and 
as the night shadows of April 20 crept about the lonely gar- 
risons, those within had no assurance but that it was as the 
darkness of the shadow of death. 

But, though the scene was thrilling and one of anxious sus- 
pense, it was nevertheless one of courage and hope. From 
what we know of the character of the Sudbury inhabitants, 
and of their conduct when the attack was begun, we con- 
elude that in those hours of ingathering there were hearts 
full of determination, and that plans were laid for a success- 
ful defense. Doubtless the ammunition was carefully looked 
to and put in a convenient place, the Hints scraped, the 
priming-wire used, and every aperture in the garrison walls 
closed and secured, except such as were left to fire from. 

Beside the regular force of the town's militia who were to 
assist in defense of the garrisons, it is supposed some militia 
were present from other places. Some men from the force 
of Captain Brocklebank, the garrison commander at Marl- 
boro, are supposed to have been there. Of twelve soldiers 
who went from Rowley, and did service in Sudbury, seven 
returned to their homes ; and it is hardly supposable that so 
many should have escaped if in the Wadsworth fight. We 
presume, therefore, with the historian of Rowley, that they 
helped man these garrisons. 

THE ATTACK. 

During the night of the 20th of April, Philip advanced his 
forces, and took positions for the coming day. The Indians 
possessed such a knowledge of the country as enabled him 
to do (his to advantage. Every path through the woodland 
had been trod by the moccasined foot; everv log crossing or 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 223 

rude bridge, from the Connecticut to the river at Sudbury, 
were on old and well-worn trails. Among the invaders were 
some who had lived thereabouts for years, or had ranged the 
forest for game, or frequented the Musquetahquid (Sudbury 
River) for fish. From these Philip might obtain information 
of the country, and thus be enabled to lay his plans. This 
doubtless was what he did. Probably every homestead, how- 
ever humble, was noted ; every highway guarded, and every 
wood-path carefully watched. No lone haystack in secluded 
meadow nook, no rude shelter for cattle, no rough shed for 
the sheep, escaped the vigilance of his roving marauders as 
in night's stillness they ranged through the town. As they 
reconnoitred about the garrisons, they doubtless noticed each 
object from which they could direct their fire, and each way 
of approach and retreat. 

Of the movements of the Indians the English probably 
knew but little as the night wore on. The soft tread of 
the moccasin, as the dusky squad stole silently about these 
strongholds, was too gentle for even the ears of such anxious 
listeners in the ominous stillness of that solitude. Even the 
slow-moving bush which may have hidden from view some 
adventurous savage, as he approached a little nearer to recon- 
noitre the place and discover its weak or strong points, though 
it aroused suspicion of a lurking foe, yet revealed nothing of 
his number or strength, nor of the squad in concealment 
near by, who awaited the whispered report of their comrade. 
No night-fires lit the heavens with their lurid glow, disclos- 
ing the foe's intent. His dark, encampment was doubtless 
within the dense pines, where he lay on his evergreen couch 
until called forth by the signal of daybreak. The stillness 
of nature and of man were both there. It was the calm that 
foreboded a storm which was to burst upon man and his 
dwelling, the herd and its stall. 

But the silence soon broke. With the morning the mys- 
tery cleared. It was early discovered by the inhabitants 
that during the night-time the Indians had gotten possession 
of everything in the west part of the town but the garrisons, 
and that they had become so scattered about in squads, and 
had so occupied various localities, that at a given signal they 



•224 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

could strike a concerted blow. Says the "Old Indian Chron- 
icle,'' "The houses were built very scatteringly, and the en- 
emy divided themselves into small parties, which executed 
their design of firing at once." The smoke of dwellings 
curled upward on the morning- air, the warwhoop rung out 
from the forest, and from the town's westerly limit to the 
Watertown boundary the destructive work was begun. It 
is said by tradition that the Indians even entered the Water- 
town territory, and set fire to a barn in what is now Weston. 
About the time of firing the deserted houses, the Indians 
made their attack on the garrisons. The detachments for 
this work were probably as specifically set apart as were 
those for burning the dwelling-places; and doubtless hours 
before daybreak the foe lay concealed in their picked places 
ready to pour their shot on the wall. The attack on the 
Haynes house was of great severity. The position of the 
building favored the near and concealed approach of the 
enemy. The small hill at the north afforded a natural ram- 
part from which to direct his fire ; behind it he could skulk 
to close range of the house, and drive his shot with terrible 
force on the walls. There is a tradition, that, by means of 
this hill, the Indians tried to set the building on fire. They 
filled a cart with flax, ignited, and started it down the 
hill towards the house ; but before it reached its destination 
it upset, and the building was saved. Tradition also states 
that near the house was a bam, which the Indians burned ; 
but that this proved advantageous to the inmates of the gar- 
rison, as it had afforded a shelter for the Indians to fire from. 
Probably this barn was burned with the expectation of set- 
ting fire to the house. 

But it was not long that the Indians were to fight at 
close range. The bold defenders soon sallied forth, and 
commenced aggressive warfare. They fell on the foe, 
forced them back, and drove them from their "skulking 
approaches." Could Philip have spared reinforcements at 
this critical time, he doubtless would have readily done so, 
rather than suffered defeat at this garrison. But Ins main 
force was lying in wait at Green Hill for Captain Wads- 
worth, other detachments were plundering on the east side, 



THE HAYNES GARRISON HOUSE. 
From original painting by A. S, Hudson. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 225 

and some were besieging other garrisons. The force needed 
at different localities prevented a concentration at any one 
point. Thus the day was won at the Haynes house. In 
the skirmish the Indians suffered considerably, while the 
English lost but two, and that through their own indiscre- 
tion. 

While the conflict was going on, the inmates of the garri- 
son showed stout hearts and commendable coolness and cour- 
age ; even the women manifested but little, if any, timidity. 
Perhaps they served in opening and closing the apertures 
to the garrison, when the musket was thrust out and with- 
drawn : they may have swabbed the foul guns, wiped the 
priming-pan, and scraped the flints; they may have stood, 
powder-horn in hand, with the powder all poured for the 
charge, and the tow wadding all torn for the ramrod's ready 
work. Such was the work at the old Haynes Garrison, — 
the noble work of a noble company. 

The service at the other garrisons was probably all that 
was needed. That none of these houses were captured is 
enough to indicate a stout and manly defense. They were 
all coveted objects of the enemy, and plans for the capture 
of each had been carefully laid. That all the garrisons did 
both defensive and aggressive work is shown by " The Old 
Petition," which says, "Our Garrison men kept not within 
their Garrisons, but issued forth to fight y e Enemy within 
their skulking approaches." Thus manly was the defense of 
the garrisons during the long morning hours of that eventful 
day. From the dawning till noon the clouds gathered and 
broke over those frail, scattered fortresses. All about them 
was confusion and turmoil ; in various directions the dense 
smoke-cloud drooped its dismal drapery over smouldering 
homesteads ; and on the ears of the beleaguered inhabitants 
frequently broke the wild yell of the foe. But still they 
fought on, with none near to assist them. No drum-beat 
announced the approach of reinforcements. They might not 
have known that relief parties had started. The tramp of 
Wadsworth and his company, as they passed through to 
Marlboro the preceding night, might have been mistaken for 



226 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the tramp of the foe; and nothing, for aught they knew, 
awaited the garrisons but to win the victory alone. 

HOSTILITIES ON THE EAST SIDE. 

While the conflict was raging around the garrisons on 
the west side, there was by no means inactivity on the east 
side. The condition of things was critical there also ; the 
circumstances in the two places, however, were different. 
The east side was so protected by the high water, which at 
that time covered the meadows, that the savages would nat- 
urally be more cautious in their mode of attack ; with a 
crossing only at the town bridge and causeway, it would be 
unsafe to scatter their forces very much, or to venture far 
from the place of retreat ; nevertheless they invaded the ter- 
ritory, and commenced their mischievous work by plunder- 
ing dwelling-houses. They doubtless intended to take what 
spoils they could carry away, and then burn the place; 
but they were effectually checked in their work. The in- 
habitants fell upon them with fury. They beat them from 
the very thresholds of their humble homes, and snatched 
the spoil from their savage clutch; they even forced them 
to retreat on the run, and seek safety in precipitous flight. ^ 

During the progress of the conflict the women and chil- 
dren were probably at the stockade of Rev. Edmund Brown, 
at Timber Neck. This stockade was sufficient to shelter 
all in that neighborhood. It was admirably situated as a 
place of defense: being at the junction of Mill Brook 
and the river, at high water it had but two sides of attack, 
and the Indians could only reach it by a circuitous course. 
From these circumstanees it is hardly probable that it would 
require many soldiers to man this stockade; hence more could 
be spared to defend their homes. But all that could be spared 
made a very small company at best. 

The entire defensive force of the town being but about 
eighty militia men, with a few added who had come from 
outside, we may conclude that the lighting was largely done 
by a few. Says "The Old Petition," -The enemy was by 
few beaten out of houses which they had entered and by a 
few hands were forced to a running fight which way they 



HISTOEY OF SUDBURY. 227 

could, y e spoil taken by them on y e East side of y e river was 
in great par te recovered." This gives an outline of the facts, 
which, like the rest of " The Petition," suggest various pos- 
sible and probable details of the conflict ; and the conjecture 
is by no means extravagant, that those morning hours on 
both sides of the river witnessed scenes of daring by those 
brave little companies unsurpassed in the annals of King 
Philip's War. 

Before leaving this part of the subject, we will quote from 
" The Old Petition," which to an extent has furnished the 
facts from which the foregiven description has been taken : 
" The Enemy well knowing Our grounds, passes, avenues, 
and situations, had near surrounded Our town ni v e morning 
early (Wee not knowing of it) till discovered by fireing sev- 
erall disserted houses ; the Enemy with greate force & fury 
assaulted Deacon Haines' house well fortified yet badly scit- 
uated as advantagous to y e Enemy's approach & dangerous 
to y e Repellant yet (by y e help of God) y e Garrison not 
onely defended y e place fro betweene five or six of y e clock 
in y e Morning, till about One in y e Afternoon but forced 
y e Enemy with considerable slaughter to draw off. Many 
Observables worthy of Record hapened in this assault, vizt: 
that noe man or woman seemed to be possessed with feare ; 
Our Garrisonmen kept not within their Garrisons, but issued 
forth to fight y e Enemy in their sculking approaches: We 
had but two of Our townes men slaine, & y l by indiscretion 
none wounded." 

ARRIVAL OF REINFORCEMENTS. 

While the town's inhabitants were defending the garri- 
sons, and at the same time endeavoring to prevent the sav- 
ages from further plundering their dwellings and making off 
with the spoils, reinforcements were approaching the town 
from several directions. Among the principles of action 
proposed by the authorities at the beginning of the war was, 
that one town should assist another with what men it could 
spare, on the giving of a general alarm ; so it was in the 
case before us. Intelligence of the enemy in the neighbor- 
hood of Sudbury spread rapidly to surrounding places, and 



228 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

men hastened from Concord and Watertown, and were sent 
by the colonial authorities from the vicinity of Boston. As 
each of these three reinforcements had a history of its own, 
we will describe them separately. 

THE CONCORD COMPANY. 

This consisted of "twelve resolute young men," who 
endeavored to render assistance in the neighborhood of the 
Haynes Garrison-house. Before they had reached it, how- 
ever, and formed a junction with the citizens of the town, 
they met with a melancholy fate in the neighboring meadow. 
The account of the affair is thus given by Mr. Shattuck in 
the Concord history, which account, he states, is preserved 
by tradition: "Arriving near the garrison-house of Walter 
Haynes, they observed several squaws, who, as they drew 
near, danced, shouted, powwowed, and used every method 
to amuse and decoy them. Eleven of the English pursued 
and attacked them, but found themselves, too late, in an 
ambuscade, from which a large number of Indians rushed 
upon and attacked them with great fury. Notwithstanding 
they made a bold resistance, it was desperate, and ten of 
them were slain. The other escaped to the garrison, where 
the neighboring inhabitants had fled for security, which was 
bravely defended." 

Of those who were killed at this time belonging to Con- 
cord, Shattuck's history gives the following names: James 
Hosmer, Samuel Potter, John Barnes, Daniel Corny, and 
Joseph Buttrick. The Middlesex Probate Records have the 
following concerning James Hosmer, in connection with the 
settlement of his estate: "being slayne in the engagement 
with the Indians at Sudbury on the 21st of the second 
month [April] in the year 1676." In the Middlesex County 
Probate Records are also the following names of soldiers 
slain in Sudbury, April 21 : David Curry and Josiah Wbeeler 
of Concord, and William Haywood of Sudbury. Says the 
Old Indian Chronicle: "They were waylaid and eleven of 
them cut off." Says Hubbard of this affair: "These men at 
the first hearing of the alarm, who unawares were surprised 
near a garrison-house, in hope of getting some advantage 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 229 

upon a small party of the enemy that presented themselves 
in a meadow. A great number of the Indians, who lay un- 
seen in the bushes, suddenly rose up and intercepting the 
passage to the garrison-house, killed and took them all." 

The men thus slain on the meadow were left where they 
fell until the following day, when the bodies were brought 
in boats to the foot of the old town bridge and buried. Two 
of the parties who helped perform the work of burial were 
Warren and Pierce of the Watertown company. The fol- 
lowing is their description of the scene, as given in a petition 
to the General Court: " On the next day in the morning, so 
soon as it was light, we went to look for the Concord men 
who were slain in the River meadow, and there we went in 
water up to our knees, where we found five, and we brought 
them in canoes and buried them there." The spot men- 
tioned here as the burial place is, we conjecture, on the 
northerly side of the town bridge, on the eastern bank of 
the river. This supposition is based on the fact that it was 
high water on the meadow at that time, and hence this place 
was probably the only one suitable for burial. A monument 
to this brave relief company would be very appropriate, and 
serve to mark a locality which on that clay was full of stirring 
events. 

THE WATERTOWN COMPANY. 

The reinforcements from Watertown were more fortunate 
than those from Concord, and were spared to assist in saving 
the town. This company was under the command of Capt. 
Hugh Mason, a bold and gallant commander. Captain Mason 
was of a committee of four appointed March 15 to provide 
for the defence of the frontier towns of Middlesex county. 
At the head of forty Watertown men he had marched pre- 
viously to the relief of Groton. He was now prompt to meet 
the foe at Sudbury, and, although seventy-five years old, he 
came in a timely manner. 

These reinforcements probably arrived some time before 
noon. As the attack began about daybreak, and took the 
inhabitants of Sudbury somewhat by surprise, it is hardly 
probable that the news would reach Watertown until the 



230 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

morning was Avell advanced. Watertown was the border 
town on the east. The part now Weston was called the 
"Farmers' Precinct." At this locality the sound of guns 
could without doubt lie heard, and the smoke rising over 
the woods in dark ominous clouds might bespeak what was 
befalling the neighborhood. Moreover, the intelligence may 
have reached Watertown by couriers, who carried it to Bos- 
ton, arriving there about midday. 

When Captain Mason reached Sudbury, about two hun- 
dred Indians were on the east side the river engaged in mis- 
chievous work. The little company of town's people who 
could be spared from the stockade was too small to drive 
them back over the river. The best they could do was to 
keep them from too close range of their little stronghold, 
and save a part of their property and dwellings. But when 
these reinforcements arrived, the united forces compelled the 
foe to make a general retreat. Whereas, before the arrival 
of reinforcements, the Indians, as stated in "The Old Peti- 
tion," " were by few beaten out of houses which they had 
entered and were plundering, and by a few hands Avere 
forced to a running tight," they were now driven beyond 
the causeway and bridge. 

The contest that preceded this retreat of the savages was 
doubtless severe. Two hundred Indians were a force suffi- 
cient to offer stubborn resistance. They were near a large 
force held in reserve by King Philip on the west side of the 
river, and might at any time receive reinforcement from 
him; and if they could hold the causeway and bridge, the 
day might be won. On the other hand, the English had a 
vast deal at stake ; if the foe was forced over the stream, the 
east side would for a time be safe. They could defend the 
narrow causeway and bridge, while the high water would 
protect their flanks. Such were the circumstances that 
would cause each to make a hard fight. But the English 
prevailed. The foe was forced back, and the bridge and 
causeway were held, so that they could not repass them. 

But the English did not stop with this victory; though the 
dav was won here, the contest still waged on the west side. 
From beyond Green Hill, about two miles westerly, came 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 231 

the sound of combat; and they knew that Captain Wads- 
worth and his companjr, who passed through Watertown on 
their way to Marlboro, were engaged in stern conflict. The 
scent of battle as it came borne on the April breeze, the dull 
sound of the distant firing, and the outlying detachments sent 
to keep reinforcements away, indicated that the contest at the 
hill was hot. But, undaunted, the English pushed forward. 
Beyond the bridge and the causeway, up the slope of the 
hill, perhaps by the Old Lancaster Road, they moved on to 
the work of rescue ; but they failed in the accomplishment 
of their object. The Indians were too many for that small 
company. Notwithstanding their courage, they had but lim- 
ited strength. The Indians endeavored to surround them, 
and being forced to retreat they sought refuge in the Good- 
no w Garrison. There they remained until nightfall, when 
they again sallied forth ; but this time it was not to meet 
the enemy. The conflict was over. The disastrous day was 
done. Night covered as with a friendly mantle the terrible 
scene ; its shadows were unbroken by the flash of guns, and 
its stillness undisturbed by the rude sounds of war. The 
foe had retired, their victims lay dead where they fell, and a 
"few surviving comrades" were all they could bear with 
them to the east side settlement. 

Thus noble was the work of that company; and the peril 
attendant upon the undertaking is indicative of the courage 
with which they entered upon it. Major Gookin, in his 
"History of the Christian Indians," states concerning this 
affair as follows: "Upon April 21, about midday, tidings 
came by many messengers that a great body of the enemy 
had assaulted a town called Sudbury that morning. Indeed 
(through God's favor) some small assistance was already 
sent from Watertown by Capt. Hugh Mason. These with 
some of the inhabitants joined and with some others that 
come in to their help, there was vigorous resistance made, 
and a check given to the enemy, so that those that were got- 
ten over the river were forced to retreat, and the body of 
the enemy were repulsed, that they could not pass the 
bridge, which pass the English kept." 

Says Warren and Pierce, who were of the Watertown 



232 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

company: "But we who were with them can more largely 
inform this Honored Council, that as it is said in the peti- 
tion that we drove two hundred Indians over the river, we 
followed the enemy over the river . . . and with some others 
joined and went to see if we could relieve Capt. Wadsworth 
upon the hill, and there we had a fight with the Indians, 
but they being so many of them, and we stayed so long, that 
we were almost encompassed by them, which caused us to 
retreat to Capt. Goodnow's Garrison, and there we stayed it 
being near night till it was dark." 

We have found no list of Watertown soldiers with the 
express statement that they served at Sudbury, but we give 
the following names of men who were impressed from that 
town in November, 1675, for the defense of the colony, and 
who were returned by Captain Mason as " rationally most 
fit to goe upon the servis " : kt Daniell Warrin, Sr., John 
Bigulah, Sr., Nathaniel Hely, Joseph Tayntor, John Whit- 
ney, Sr., George Harrington, William Hagar, Jr., John Park- 
hurst, Michael Flagg, Jacob Bullard, Isaac Learned, Joseph 
Waight, George Dill, William Pierce, Nathaniel Sangar, 
Moses Whitney, John Windam, Joseph Smith, Nathaniel 
Barsham, John Barnard." 



CHAPTER XIII. 

1675-1700. 

Philip's War. — The Sudbury Fight. — Number of Men in Captain 
Wadsworth's Company: The Arrival at Marlboro; The Return 
to Sudbury. — The Ambuscade: Place of It. — Philip's Plan of 

Attack. — Number of Indians. — The Battle. — The Forest Fire. 

Retreat of the English. — Refuge in Hop Brook Mill. — Number 
of the English Slain. — Philip's Loss. — Treatment of Captives.— 
Rescue of the Survivors. — Burial of the Dead. — Place of Burial.— 
Biographical Sketches: Captain Wadsworth, Captain Brocklebank. — 
Roxbury Men. — Concord Men. — Marlboro Men. — The Christian 
Indians. — Movements of the English after the Battle. — Sudbury's 
Loss. 

Fast on the soldier's path 

Darken the waves of wrath ; 
Long have they gather'd, and loud shall they fall ; 

Red glares the musket's flash, 

Sharp rings the rifle's crash, 
Blazing and clanging from thicket and wall. 

O. W. Holmes. 

When the intelligence reached Boston that the Indians 
had invaded Marlboro, the Council sent to its relief a com- 
pany of soldiers under command of Capt. Samuel Wadsworth 
of Milton. The number in this company has been variously 
estimated. Mather sets it at seventy; "The Old Indian 
Chronicle " says, " Wadsworth being designed of a hundred 
men, to repair to Marlboro, to strengthen the garrison and 
remove the goods." Hubbard says, "That resolute, stout 
hearted soldier, Capt. Wadsworth . . . being sent from 
Boston with fifty soldiers to relieve Marlboro." It is not 
remarkable that estimates should differ with regard to the 
number in this company, since all the men who accompanied 
Wadsworth from Boston were not in the engagement at 

233 



234 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Sudbury. When Captain Wadsworth reached Marlboro lie 
exchanged a part of his younger men, who were wearied 
with the march, for some at the garrison, and accompanied 
by Captain Brocklebank, the garrison commander, started 
back to Sudbury. Lieutenant Jacobs, who commanded the 
garrison in the absence of Brocklebank, in reporting to the 
authorities in regard to the number of men left with him, 
states as follows: "There is remaining in our company forty- 
six, several whereof are young soldiers left here by Captain 
Wadsworth, being unable to march. But though he left a 
part of his men he took some from the garrison at Marlboro." 
From what we know of the fate of a large part of this com- 
pany, and the circumstances attendant upon the expedition, 
we conclude the number engaged in the Sudbury fight was 
not much over fifty. If twenty-nine men were found slain 
after the battle, and fourteen escaped, and about a half dozen 
were taken captive, the number would not be far from the 
foregoing estimate. 

Captain Wadsworth arrived at Marlboro some time during 
the night of the 20th. Upon ascertaining that the Indians 
had gone in the direction of Sudbury, he did not stop to 
take needed refreshment, but started upon the enemy's trail. 
Hubbard says, "Understanding the enemy had gone through 
the woods towards Sudbury, this unwearied company, before 
even they had taken any considerable rest, marched immedi- 
ately back towards Sudbury [East Sudbury], that lies ten 
miles nearer Boston." Says Gookin (" History of Christian 
Indians"), "He [Wadsworth] understanding that the enemy 
had attacked Sudbury, took a ply of his men, about six files, 
and marched for their relief, with whom Capt. Broklebank. 
who kept guard at Marlboro went. Taking this opportunity 
as a o'ood convoy, to speak with the council. Capt. Wads- 
worth being a valient and active man and being very desir- 
ous to rescue his friends at Sudbury, marched in the night 
with all the speed he could." Says Lieutenant Jacobs, in 
his official letter, of Wadsworth's departure, "Although he 
had marched all the day and the night before, and his men 
much wearied, yet he hastened back again, and was accom- 
panied by Capt, Broklebank, commander of the garrison of 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 235 

Marlboro with the small number he durst spare out of his 
garrison." (Date April 24, 1676. State Archives, Vol. 
LXVIIL, p. 227.) 

The English encountered no Indians until they had gone 
some distance into Sudbury territory, when they came upon a 
small party, who fled at their approach. Captain Wadsworth 
with his company pursued until they found themselves in an 
ambush, where the main body of Philip's force lay concealed. 

THE BATTLE-FIELD. 

Before considering the battle which followed, we will give 
some description of the place where it occurred. This place 
was at what is now South Sudbury, a little northeasterly of 
the village, and on the westerly side of Green Hill. The 
ambush was probably laid near the foot of the hill, a few 
rods east of the place where Wadsworth was buried. At 
this point there was, until within a very few years, an old 
path through the woods (see map), which we conjecture 
once led from the Hop Brook Mill to the Old Lancaster 
Road, and may have been the way travelled to that mill, and 
to the westward of it, before the construction of the new 
road that was built in 1659. This road, in our recollection, 
extended to the edge of the cleared land on the Joseph Rich- 
ardson farm (present Newton place), but since the clearing 
up of the woods in that locality it has almost or quite dis- 
appeared. We conjecture that at or along this path the 
battle began. This we think is indicated by several circum- 
stances . 

First, it was very near the spot where the slain soldiers 
were buried. The burial-place would naturally be not far 
from the greater number of the slain, or about midway of 
the battle-field, unless the nature of the ground was such as 
to make it inexpedient to dig the grave there. From the top 
of Green Hill to near the spot where the soldiers were buried 
is hard, rocky ground, while at the place of burial was easy 
digging; and, moreover, being of sandy soil, it may have been 
covered with but small, scanty shrubbery, and been a sunny 
spot in the woods quite suitable for the purpose. It is not 
therefore unlikely, if the main part or all of the slain were 



236 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

scattered from about tlie foot to the summit of the hill, that 
they were carried to that spot for interment. 

Second, it was not far from the foot of the hill, which the 
English ascended as the battle advanced. The space fought 
over could not have been great, since every foot of it was 
hotly contested, and the engagement lasted but a few hours. 
The distance from the path at the foot of the hill to the 
summit, where the English made their stand, was about an 
eighth of a mile. Therefore we judge the battle began on 
or near the path. 

But the one thing which more than any other may indi- 
cate the place of ambush was the probable plan of King 
Philip. This plan was to intercept Captain Wadsworth 
before he could reach the east side, or get into the neigh- 
borhood of the Goodnow or Haynes Garrisons. To do this, 
he would naturally allow the English to pass on to Marlboro 
during the night undisturbed, and then conceal his force to 
intercept him on his return. The wily chieftain knew that 
his return was only a matter of time, and he hastened to 
get his ambush in readiness for him. But, to have the plan 
a success, it was all-important to choose the spot where 
Wadsworth would be most likely to pass. To the west- 
ward of Hop Brook it might be hard to determine what way 
the English would take. But it was probable they would so 
direct their course as to cross Hop Brook at the bridge, near 
Noyes' Mill (South Sudbury), since at that season of the 
year the stream might be swollen so as to make it difficult to 
pass it at any other place. At some point easterly of the 
bridge, then, the ambush would naturally be laid. 

But from Hop Brook to the east side, as before noticed, 
there were two ways : one, a part of the Old Lancaster Road 
north of Green Hill, connected with Hop Brook Mill by the 
wood-path before mentioned ; the other, the " new road," 
which went south of Green Hill. As it was uncertain which 
of these roads Wadsworth would take, Philip would natu- 
rally lay his ambuscade upon the path which we have con- 
jectured connected these two highways (see map) ; so that 
if Wadsworth went by way of the Lancaster Road he would 
fall into the ambush, and if he went by the south road Philip 




ROCKY PLAIN. (Sudbury Center.) 

NOYES'S MILL (So. Sudbury,) 

WIGWAM HILL (Goodman's Hill.) 

GREEN HILL. 

WADSWORTH BURIAL PLACE. 

HAYNES GARRISON HOUSE. 

EDMUND GOODNOW GARRISON, 

TOWN BRIDGE. 

FIRST MEETING HOUSE. 

ROAD TO HOP BROOK MILL. Constructed 1659 



K OLD LANCASTER ROAD ' ' cted I 

L HOP BROOK. 

M LANHAM BROOK 

N LOWANCE BROOK. 

OLD WOOD ROAD OR CART PATH. 

P CAUSEWAY 

Q GRAVEL PIT 

R MARLBORO' ROAD. 

S SUPPOSED PART OF CART PATH. 



•HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 237 

would lead him into the fatal path by decoys. This is what 
we suppose Philip did. He allowed Wadsworth to pass to 
Marlboro at night, then selected a place by this path in 
which to conceal his men. Wadsworth, all unsuspicious of 
his plan, had probably passed the Hop Brook Bridge, and 
was passing b} r the south road to East Sudbury, when the 
Indian decoys turned him from his course, and led him to 
the place of ambush. 

The following statements from several well-known authori- 
ties favor the foregoing suppositions. Says " The Old Indian 
Chronicle," " When they arrived within a mile and a half 
of Sudbury, the enemy having hid themselves behind the 
hills, sent forth two or three to cross the march of our forces, 
and being seen to counterfeit themselves affrighted and fly, 
whereby to trepan our men into their ambuscade, which mis- 
chievous plan succeeded according their to wishes." Hub- 
bard says, "Being come within a mile of the town, we espied 
a party of Indians not far from them, about a hundred, not 
more as they conceived. These they might easily deal with, 
who turning back awhile drew Capt. Wadsworth and his 
company above a mile into the woods." Says Gookin, " Be- 
ing spent and weary with travel and want of rest Capt. 
Wadsworth fell into the enemy's ambushment on the morn- 
ing, and the enemy being numerous encompassed him round." 

It is noticeable by these statements, that the distance that 
these men were decoyed is variously estimated at from a mile 
to a mile and a half. This does not exactly correspond with 
the distance between the supposed place of ambush and the 
aforesaid roads. But they may have been allured by a cir- 
cuitous course, or the distance mentioned by these authors 
may have been a loose estimate. It would not be strange if 
authors should be somewhat inexact on a point like this. It 
was an unfamiliar locality to them. If they received infor- 
mation from survivors of the fight, the place also was strange 
to them, and they might think the distance over which they 
were led by decoy to be greater than it in reality was ; and as 
in the case of the date of the fight, one historian might trans- 
mit another's mistake. If our conjectures, then, are correct, 
we think these soldiers were allured from some point on 



238 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the road from Hop Brook to East Sudbury to a spot near 
the place of their burial. 

THE AMBUSCADE. 

The force that lay in ambush is supposed to have been 
quite strong. Gookin speaks of " the enemy being numer- 
ous." " The Old Indian Chronicle " speaks of it as about a 
thousand. The latter estimate is probably not far from 
right. If two hundred Indians were engaged about the old 
town bridge, and if Philip entered Sudbury with towards 
fifteen hundred, about one thousand may have been in am- 
bush. As the foe appeared, the English pursued, and fol- 
lowed hard as they withdrew. That they should do this 
unsuspicious of peril may be a matter of some surprise. 
Captain Wadsworth was not inexperienced in Indian war- 
fare; before this he had been on their trail. When Lan- 
caster was assailed, he had gone to its relief. It might 
seem strange, then, that he should be led into ambush, 
when aware of Indian strategy, and accompanied by Cap- 
tain Brocklebank, who could advise him of King Philip's 
strength. 

A little reflection, however, may diminish surprise. If 
one hundred Indians, as is stated by Hubbard, at once hove 
in sight, the English may have considered it King Philip's 
main force. These by their flight may have acted surprised. 
They were in the vicinity of the place whither, it is said, the 
Indians had gone. Wadsworth was not far from two of 
Sudbury's garrisons, and not far from the outskirts of the 
east side settlement, He may have heard the sound of guns 
in different directions, and especially the firing at the old 
town bridge: this, perhaps, led him to suppose Philip's 
forces much scattered about, and that what he saw was the 
nucleus of his powerful host, It is not, then, very remark- 
able if he was thrown off his guard, and that he considered 
that but little camion was required. 

Bui the pursuit was fatal. The Indians retreated until 
the place of ambush was reached. Then suddenly the foe 
opened his lire from a chosen place of concealment, where 
each man had the opportunity of working to advantage. By 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 289 

these means the trap was sprung. Simultaneous with this 
sudden onslaught of the ambushed foe an attempt was made 
to surround the English. Mather says that, " a great body 
of the Indians surrounded them." Hubbard states, " On a 
sudden a great body of the enemy appeared. About five 
hundred as was thought compassed them around." This 
was shrewd on the part of Philip. The first move of the 
English would naturally be to regain the main path, and 
make for the highway so near at hand. A short run to the 
northerly would lead Wadsworth to the Old Lancaster Road, 
or a quick retreat southerly would soon bring him to the 
road from Hop Brook to East Sudbury ; while one of these 
ways would bring him to the town bridge and the old 
Haynes Garrison, and the other to the Goodnow Garrison. 
It might, then, be expected that Philip would cut off the 
retreat. 

But, though suddenly surrounded and beset on all sides, 
they maintained a most manly defense. It may be doubtful 
if there is its equal in the annals of the early Indian wars. 
From five hundred to one thousand savages, with Philip him- 
self to direct their manoeuvres, pouring their fire from every 
direction, and this against about four-score of English, hard 
marched, in an unfamiliar locality, could do deadly work. 
Yet there is no evidence of undue confusion among the ranks 
of the English. 

The sudden onslaught of the savages was attended, as 
usual, with shoutings and a horrible noise, which but in- 
creased the threatening aspect, and tended to indicate that 
things were worse than they were. In spite of all this, 
the brave company maintained their position, and more than 
held their own. Says Mather, " They fought like men and 
more than so." Says "The Old Indian Chronicle," "Not at 
all dismayed by their numbers, nor dismal shouts and horrid 
yellings, ours made a most courageous resistance." Not only 
was the foe kept at bay, and the English force mainly kept 
compact, but a movement was made to obtain a better posi- 
tion ; hard by was the summit of Green Hill, and thither- 
ward, fighting, Wadsworth directed his course. This he 
reached, and for hours he fought that furious host, with such 



240 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

success that, it is said, he lost but five men. Says "The Old 
Indian Chronicle. "' " Having gained the top of the hill, they 
from thence gallantly defended themselves, with a loss of 
five men. near four hours." Hubbard informs us that "the 
Indians forced them to the top of an hill, where they made 
very stout resistance considerable while."' Thus successfully 
was the battle waged by the English, despite circumstances 
and the strength of the foe. 

THE FOREST FIRE. 

But a new element was to be introduced. The fight had 
doubtless been prolonged far beyond what Philip had at first 
supposed it would be. Desperate in his disappointment that 
the English had not surrendered, they again resort to strat- 
egy to accomplish their work. The day was almost done. 
Philip's force had been decimated by Wadsworth's stubborn 
defense. Darkness was soon to set in. and under its friendly 
concealment the English might make their escape. New 
means were to be employed, or the battle to the Indians 
was lost, and the fate of Philip's slain warriors would be un- 
avenged. Wadsworth might form a junction with the sol- 
diers at the east side of the town, or make his way to the 
Goodnow Garrison just beyond Green Hill. A crisis was at 
hand. Philip knew it, and made haste to meet it. The 
fight began with strategy, and he sought to close it with 
Strategy. He set tire to the woods, the leaves of which at 
that season are sometimes exceedingly dry : and the flames, 
fiercely fanned in the April breeze, drove Wadsworth from 
his advantageous position. The English were forced to fly 
before the devouring element. Says " The Old Indian 
Chronicle."' " The cowardly enemy disheartened by so many 
of their fellows slain in the first attack, not daring to ven- 
ture close upon them, yet that we may not think these bar- 
barians altogether unacquainted with strategem. nor so silly 
as to neglect any advantages, at last they set the woods on 
fire to the windward of our men. which by reason of the 
wind blowing very hard, and the grass being exceedingly 
dry, burnt with a terrible fierceness, and with the smoke and 
heat it was like to choke them, so that being no longer able 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 241 

at once to resist the approaching fire, and the cruel enemy, 
they are forced to quit that advantageous post in disorder." 
The historian Hubbard says nothing about the fire ; he states, 
however, " The night drawing on, and some of the English 
beginning to scatter from the rest, their fellows were forced 
to follow them so as the enemy taking the chase, pursued 
them on every side as they made too hasty a retreat." That 
Hubbard mentioned no fire may naturally occasion surprise; 
but the silence of one historian concerning an event should 
not invalidate the affirmation of it by another, especially 
since by a little reflection it may be a matter of surprise that 
the English should retreat in such haste without the menace 
of some new peril, when night's friendly help was so near. 
The statement then of one author, with no reason to doubt 
his veracity, but a strong presumption to confirm his words, 
may remove any doubts that might be suggested by the 
silence of others. 

THE RETREAT. 

With this new combination of forces pressing hard upon 
them, nothing was left but retreat. But the results of the 
retreat were disastrous and exceedingly sad. There is some- 
thing melancholy indeed attendant on that precipitous flight. 
For hours, shoulder to shoulder, those men had manfully 
stood. Inch by inch they had gained the hill-top. The 
wounded had likely been borne with them, and laid at 
their protectors' feet; and the brave company awaited night's 
friendly shades to bear them gently to a place of relief. But 
they were to leave them now in the hands of a foe less mer- 
ciful than the flames from which they had been forced to 
retire. Their defenders had fired their last shot that would 
keep the foe at bay, and in hot haste were to make a rush 
for the Hop Brook Mill. It was a race for life ; a gauntlet 
from which few would escape. 

Historians agree that the rout was complete. Hubbard 
mentions the too hasty retreat, " by which accident, being 
so much overpowered by the enemy's numbers, they were 
most of them lost." Says "The Old Indian Chronicle," 
" The Indians taking advantage of [the rout] came in upon 



242 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

them like so many tigers, and dulling their active swords 
with excessive numbers obtained the dishonor of a victory. 
Our two Captains after incomparable proof of their resolu- 
tion and galantry, being slain upon the place with most of 
their men." So closed the scene on Green Hill, as the fitful 
gleam of the forest conflagration lighted the night shadows 
and revealed the terrible work. 

The flight of the men to the mill was doubtless attended 
with fearful loss. It was situated at what now is South 
Sudbury village, on the site of the present Parmenter Mill. 
The distance from the top of Green Hill is from a quarter to 
half a mile. This distance was enough to make the slaughter 
great. A break in the ranks, and the foe could close in, and 
the tomahawk and war-club could do a terrible work. It 
is said that a small company broke away from the enemy. 
Says "The Old Indian Chronicle,'' "But those few that 
remained escaped to a mill which they defended until 
night." This statement indicates that the rout began before 
night, while Hubbard says " the night drawing on." This 
disparity of statement is slight. Each may mean the same 
thing, if the rout occurred about night, as it probably did. 
We would expect Philip's strategy to be employed before 
the day closed, as he wished to scatter the English before 
darkness afforded the means of escape. Gookin informs us 
that " Wadsworth's men were generally cut off, except a few 
who escaped to a mill which was fortified but the people 
were fled out of it, and the enemy knew not of their flight." 
Other authorities give different estimates. Hubbard states, 
"scarce twenty eseaping in all." 

Thus closed that tragic day. The firing had ceased. Silence 
settled with the nightfall over that usually peaceful spot; yet 
night's natural stillness was not undisturbed. The shouts 
of the captor as he exultingly looked over his fallen foe, the 
'groans of the wounded white man and savage, the gathering 
of Philip's scattered forces, each to narrate the deeds of that 
eventful day, the blaze of the Indian's night-fire, and the 
strange forms that flitted to and fro, — all together might 
present a scene that was dismal, weird, and strange. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 243 



LOSS OF THE ENGLISH. 

As to the number of English slain, accounts somewhat 
differ. This is not strange, when men differ as to the num- 
ber engaged. Mather says "that about fifty of the men 
were slain that day." Gookin speaks of " thirty-two besides 
the two captains." Hubbard says, " So as another captain 
and his fifty perished that time of as brave soldiers as any 
who were ever employed in the service." Lieut. Richard 
Jacobs of the garrison at Marlboro, in his letter to the 
Council, dated April 22, 1676 (Vol. LXVIIL, p. 223, State 
Archives), says, " This morning about sun two hours high 
ye enemy alarmed us by firing and shouting toward ye gov- 
ernment garrison house at Sudbury." He goes on to state 
that " soon after they gave a shout and came in great num- 
bers on Indian Hill, and one, as their accustomed manner is 
after a fight, began to signify to us how many were slain ; 
they whooped seventy four times which we hope was only to 
affright us, seeing we have had no intelligence of any such 
thing, yet we have reason to fear the worst, considering the 
numbers, which we apprehend to be five hundred at the 
most, others think a thousand." The Indians informed Mrs. 
Rowlandson that " they killed two captains and almost an 
hundred men." She states, "One Englishman they brought 
alive with them, and he said it was too true, for they had 
made sad work at Sudbury." 

Thus, according to the various accounts, by far the greater 
part were slain. There is one tiling which goes to show, 
however, that Mather may not be far from correct, — that is 
the evidence of the exhumed remains. When the grave was 
opened a few years ago, parts of the skeletons of twenty-nine 
men were found. We can hardly suppose, however, that 
these were all the slain. Some who were wounded may 
have crawled away to die. Others, disabled, may have been 
borne from the spot by the foe; and in various ways the 
wounded may have been removed, to perish near or remote 
from the field of battle. 

According to the testimony of Mrs. Rowlandson, the bodies 
of the slain were plundered. She remarks, that, "after the 



244 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

master came home, he came to her and bid her make a shirt 
for his pappoose of a pillow-bier." She says also, "About 
that time there came an Indian to me and bid me come to 
his wigwam that night, and he would give me some pork 
and ground nuts. I did, and as I was eating, another Indian 
said to me, he seems to be your good friend, but he killed 
two Englishmen at Sudbury, and there lie the bloody clothes 
behind you, I looked behind me, and there I saw the bloody 
clothes behind me with bullet holes in them." No signs 
of equipments or attire were found in the grave when the 
remains were disinterred ; and it is probable that the slain 
were stripped by the savages, and the garments and equip- 
ments were carried away. 

LOSS OF PHILIP. 

As to the number of savages slain on that day, we can 
hardly expect to obtain any accurate knowledge. The 
Indians would intend to leave no traces of what havoc 
the English had made. They would likely care for their 
wounded, and remove or conceal their dead. Tradition 
states ("History of Framingham"), that one of the sons of 
Eames of Framingham was present as a captive at the attack 
on Sudbury, and he is said to have reported that the Indians 
suffered severely by the fire from the garrison ; and that an 
aged squaw lost six sons, all of whom were brave and distin- 
guished warriors. 

From all the circumstances, there is space for fair infer- 
ence that their loss was large. Wadsworth and Brocklebank 
were bold ami sagacious men ; their soldiers were doubtless 
valiant to a great degree. During those hours of defensive 
work there is little doubt but the ranks of King Philip were 
greatly thinned. Encompassed as the English were by hun- 
dreds of combatants eager to rush in and close the contest 
with hatchet and club, it is safe to infer that only an effective 
and quickly repeated fire, such as would be deadly to many, 
would keep such a bust at bay/ The very fact that Philip 
by daybreak withdrew, after his destructive work at Green 
Hill, is a presumption that he was in a crippled state. With- 
out losses so severe as to make it utterly unwise to push on, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 245 

flushed by Wadsworth's defeat, he would naturally move for- 
ward to destroy the east side settlement, and go with con- 
quering march toward the sea. But he retraced his steps 
westward. 

A further evidence that the havoc in Philip's force was 
great, is the statement of Mrs. Rowlandson, "that they came 
home without that rejoicing and triumphing over their vic- 
tory which they were wont to show at other times ; but 
rather like dogs (as they say) which have lost their ears, 
yet I could not perceive that it was from their own loss of 
men. They said they lost not above five or six. And I 
missed none, except from one wigwam. When they went 
they acted as if the devil had told them that they should 
gain a victory, and now they acted as if the devil had told 
them they should have a fall. Whether it were so or no, I 
cannot tell, but so it quickly proved, for they quickly began 
to fall, and so they held on that summer till they came to 
utter ruin. They came home on a Sabbath day, and the 
powwow that kneeled upon the deerskin came home, I may 
say, without any abuse, as black as the devil." She further 
states that "it was their usual manner to remove when they 
had done any mischief, lest they should be found out ; and 
so they did at this time. We went about three or four 
miles, and there they built a great wigwam, big enough to 
hold one hundred Indians, which they did in preparation to 
a great day of dancing. They would now say among them- 
selves that the governor would be so angry for the loss at 
Sudbury that he would say no more about the captives." 

Hubbard says, " It was observed by some (at that time 
their prisoners, since released), that they seemed very pen- 
sive after they had come to ther quarters, showing no such 
signs of rejoicing as they were usually wont to do in like 
cases. Whether from the loss of some of their own com- 
pany in that day's enterprise (said to be an hundred and 
twenty) or whether it were the devil in whom they trusted, 
that deceived them, and to whom they paid their addresses 
the day before by sundry conjurations of their powwows, or 
whether it were by any dread that the Almighty sent upon 
their excreable Blasphemies which 'tis said they used in the 



246 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

torturing of some of their poor captives (bidding Jesus come 
and deliver them out of their hands from death if He could) 
we leave as uncertain, though some have so reported. Yet 
sure it is, that after this day they never prospered in any 
attempt they made against the English, but were continu- 
ally scattered and broken till they were in a manner all con- 
sumed." 

As ultimate authority in this, as in other matters, we 
refer to "The Old Petition," in which it is stated as fol- 
lows of the Indians slain : " Secondly, y e service pformed at 
Sudbury by y e help of y e Almighty whereby y e Enemy lost 
some say 100, some 105, some 120, and by that service much 
damage prevented from hapning to other places whereby y e 
Country in Generall was advantaged, reason requires some 
favorable considerations to y e servants of Sudbury. For if it 
be considered what it hath cost our Country in sending out 
some forces some of which p ties have not returned with 
y e certaine newes of such a number slaine as with us." 

These things indicate that Philip's loss was severe. He was 
stayed in his course ; he was unable to reinforce his outstand- 
ing detachments in their attempt to destroy the town, and he 
quickly made his retreat. Wadsworth did not die in vain. 
Not only did he help save the east side settlement, but, keep- 
ing the foe hotly engaged for hours, he crippled their force 
to such a degree that they abandoned their plans of conquest 

in that vicinity. 

THE CAPTURED. 

But the sad story is not wholly told when we speak of the 
slain. The tragedy was not complete when the surviving 
few had left the field and taken refuge in the mill. Some 
were captured alive. These were subjected to such atrocious 
treatment as only a savage would be expected to give. Says 
Hubbard, " It is related by some that afterwards escaped 
how they cruelly tortured five or six of the English that 
night." Mather says, " They took five or six of the Eng- 
lish, and carried them away alive, but that night killed them 
in such a manner as none but savages would have done, . . . 
delighting to see the miserable torments of the wretched 
creatures. Thus are they the perfect children of the devil." 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 247 

THE SURVIVORS. 

The few English who escaped to the mill found it a place 
of safety. Says tradition, this was a fortified place, but it 
was then left in a defenceless condition. This latter fact the 
Indians were ignorant of, hence it was left unassailed. The 
escaped soldiers were rescued at night by Warren and Pierce, 
with some others, among whom was Captain Prentis, " who 
coming in the day hastily though somewhat to late to the 
relief of Capt. Wadsworth having not six troopers that were 
able to keep way with him fell into a pound or place near 
Sudbury town end, where all passages were stopped by the 
Indians." Captain Co well also gave assistance, and thus 
these weary, war-worn men, the remnant of the gallant com- 
pany that fought on that memorable day, were conducted to 
a place of safety. 

BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 

The morning light of the 22d of April broke upon a sad 
scene in Sudbury. The noise of the battle had ceased, and 
the fires had faded away with the night-shadows. Philip 
had betaken himself from the field of his hard-earned and 
unfortunate victory, and nothing of life was left but the leaf- 
less woods, and these charred as if passed over by the shadow 
of death. It was a scene of loneliness and desolation. The 
dead, scalped and stripped, were left scattered as they fell : 
while their victors by the sunrising were far on their way 
back over the track which they had made so desolate. This 
scene, however, was shortly to change. Warm hearts and 
stout hands were pushing their way to see what the case 
might demand, and if possible render relief. 

Before nightfall of the 21st, so far as we have learned, lit- 
tle, if any intelligence was received by the parties who had 
rushed to the rescue, of the true state of things about Green 
Hill. Wadsworth and Brocklebank were encompassed about 
by the foe, so that no communication could be conveyed to 
the English, who anxiously awaited tidings of their condi- 
tion. It was known at the easterly part of the town that 
hard fighting was in progress at or near Green Hill. The 



248 HTSTORY OF SUDBURY. 

shouting, firing, and smoke betokened that a battle was in 
progress, but how it would terminate none could tell. After 
the Sudbury and Watertown men had driven the Indians 
over the river, they strove hard to reach the force on the 
hill. Says Warren and Pierce, in their petition : " We who 
were with them can more largely inform this Honored Coun- 
cil that as it is said in the petition, that we drove two hun- 
dred Indians over the river and with some others went to 
see if we could relieve Capt. Wadsworth upon the hill, and 
there we had a fight with the Indians, but they being so 
many of them, and we stayed so long that we were almost 
encompassed by them, which caused us to retreat to Capt. 
Goodnow's garrison house, and there we stayed it being near 
night till it was dark." 

But another force had also striven to reach the town, 
and join in the work of rescue. This was a company from 
Charlestown, commanded by Captain Hunting. Of this 
company, Gookin says (" History of Christian Indians"): 
** On the 21 st of April, Capt. Hunting had drawn up and 
ready furnished his company of forty Indians at Charles- 
town. These had been ordered by the council to march to 
the Merrimac river near Chelmsford, and there to settle a 
garrison near the great fishing places where it was expected 
the enemy would come to get fish for their necessary food." 
But, says Gookin, "-Behold God's thoughts are not as ours, 
nor His ways as ours, for just as these soldiers were ready to 
march upon the 21 st of April, about midday, tidings came by 
many messengers that a great body of the enemy . . . had 
assembled at a town called Sudbury that morning." He 
says " that just at the beginning of the lecture there, as soon 
as these tidings came, Major Gooken and Thomas Danforth, 
two of the magistrates who were there hearing the lecture 
sermon, being acquainted, he withdrew out of the meeting 
house, and immediately gave orders for a ply of horses belong- 
ing to Capt, Prentis's troop under conduct of Corporal Phipps, 
and the Indian company under Capt. Hunting, forthwith to 
march away for the relief of Sudbury; which order was ac- 
cordingly put into execution. Capt. Hunting with his Indian 
company being on foot, got not into Sudbury until a little 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 249 

within night. The enemy as is before [narrated] were all 
retreated unto the west side of the river of Sudbury, where 
also several English inhabited." 

But though the rescuing parties were either repulsed, or 
too late to render assistance at the fight, they were on hand 
to bury the dead. Says Warren and Pierce: "After hurry- 
ing the bodies of the Concord men at the bridge's foot, we 
joined ourselves to Capt. Hunting and as many others as 
we could procure, and went over the river to look for Capt. 
Wadsworth and Capt. Broklebank ; and we gathered them 
up and burried them." 

The manner in which this burial scene proceeded is nar- 
rated thus by Mr. Gookin ("History of Christian Indians"): 
" Upon the 22 nd of April early in the morning over forty In- 
dians having stripped themselves and painted their faces like 
to the enemy, they passed over the bridge to the west side 
of the river without any Englishmen in the company, to 
make discovery of the enemy (which was generally con- 
ceded quartered thereabout), but this did not at all discour- 
age our Christian Indians from marching and discovering, 
and if they had met with them to beat up their quarters. 
But God had so ordered that the enemy were all withdrawn 
and were retreated in the night. Our Indian soldiers having 
made a thourough discovery and to their great relief (for 
some of them wept when they saw so many English lie dead 
on the place among the slain), some they knew, viz, those 
two worthy and pious Captains, Capt. Broklebank of Rowley 
and Capt. Wadsworth of Milton, who with about thirty two 
private soldiers were slain the day before. ... As soon as 
they had made a full discovery, [they] returned to their 
Captains and the rest of the English, and gave them an 
account of their motions. Then it was concluded to march 
over to the place and bury the dead, and they did so. 
Shortly after, our Indians marching in two files upon the 
wings to secure those that went to bury the dead, God so 
ordered it that they met with no interruption in that work." 

Thus were the slain soldiers buried on that April morning, 
in the stillness of the forest, far away from their kindred, 
friends, and homes. Those, who through inability had 



250 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

failed to defend them in the day of battle, now tenderly 
took them to their last long resting-place. A single grave 
contained them. Though scattered, they were home to one 
common place of burial, and a rough heap of stones was all 
that marked that lone forest grave. Such was that soldiers' 
sepulchre, a mound in the woods, left to grow gray with the 
clustering moss of years, yet marking in its rustic simplicity 
one of the noblest and most heroic events known in the 
annals of King Philip's War. They sleep — 

" While the bells of autumn toll, 
Or the murmuring song of spring flits by, 
Till the crackling heavens in thunder roll, 
To the bugle-blast on high." 



PLACE OF BURIAL. 

The grave was made on the westerly side of Green Hill, 
near its base, and was in the northeast comer of the South 
Sudbury cemetery before its recent enlargement. In our 
recollection, the grave was marked by a rude stone-heap, at 
the head of which was a plain slate-stone slab. The heap 
was made of common loose stones such as a man could easily 
lift, and was probably placed there when the grave was 
made. It was perhaps three or four feet high, and a dozen 
feet wide at the base. The slab was erected about 1730 by 
President Wads worth of Harvard College, son of Captain 
Wads worth. As we remember the spot, it was barren and 
briar-grown; loose stones, fallen from the top and sides of 
the mound, were half concealed in the wild wood grass that 
grew in tufts about it. It remained in this condition for 
years, and the villagers from time to time visited it as a place 
of interest. 

In the year 1851 the town agitated the matter of erecting 
a monument, and the Legislature was petitioned for aid, 
which was granted. But the monument does not mark the 
original grave. The committee who had the matter in charge 
located it about fifty feet to the north. The old grave was 
at, or about the turn of the present avenue or path, at the 
northeast corner of the Adam Smith family lot, in the pres- 




THE WADSWORTH GRAVE, 

So. Sudbury 

From an original painting by A. S. Hudson. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 251 

ent Wadsworth Cemetery. After it was decided to erect 
the monument in its present position, the remains of the 
soldiers were removed. The grave was opened without 
ceremony in the presence of a small company of villagers. 
It was the writer's privilege to be one of the number, and 
according to our recollection the grave was about six. feet 
square, in which the bodies were placed in tiers at right 
angles to each other. Some of the skeletons were large, and 
all well preserved. 

In connection with the events just described, we will give 
a few facts concerning some of the men engaged in them. 

CAPT. SAMUEL "WADSWORTH. 

Capt. Samuel Wadsworth was the son of Christopher and 
Grace Wadsworth of Duxbury. He was supposed to be 
their oldest child. It is stated that when he died he was 
forty-six years old, but this is uncertain. He married Abi- 
gail Lindall of Duxbury, and owned lands at one time in 
Bridgewater, which were a part of a grant to his father. 
These lands comprised one sixty-fourth part of Bridgewater 
when it included most of Hanson and Abington. In 1685 
Captain Wadsworth's share is entered upon the Bridgewater 
records under the name of Widow Wadsworth. About 1660 
Captain Wadsworth bought several hundred acres of land in 
Milton. A part of this estate was retained in the family to 
the eighth generation. His. family consisted of six boys and 
one girl. His wife lived on the homestead many years after 
his death. Captain Wadsworth was an influential citizen, 
and took an active part in affairs both political and religious. 
At the time of Philip's War he was a captain in the militia 
of Milton. He was considered "a resolute, stout-hearted 
soldier," and " one worthy to live in our history under the 
name of a good man." (Genealogy of the Wadsworth 
Family). 

CAPT. SAMUEL BROCKLEBANK. 

Capt. Samuel Broeklebank was a citizen of Rowley, Mass. 
He was born in England about 1630. A few years after his 
arrival in this country, his mother, who was a widow, came 



252 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

over, accompanied by two children. Samuel Brocklebank 
shortly after becoming' of age was chosen a selectman, and 
continued to hold important town offices until his death. 
He became a deacon of the church Feb. 18, 1665. In 1673 
the Council appointed him captain of militia, and after the 
breaking out of Philip's War he was stationed at a govern- 
ment garrison at Marlboro, where he had command of some 
colonial soldiers, and from which place he went with Captain 
Wadsworth to Sudbury. At the time of his death he was 
about forty-six years old. He left a widow and six children, 
Samuel, Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Joseph. Cap- 
tain Brocklebank was an estimable citizen, a brave soldier, 
and a fit associate of Captain Wadsworth in his perilous 
work. 

Lieutenant Sharp of Brookline and Lieut. Samuel Gardiner 
of Roxbury were, it is stated, brave and efficient men. And 
all the soldiers who were slain on that disastrous occasion 
were, we are informed, as brave soldiers as any who were 
engaged in the service at that time. 

ROXBURY MEN. 

The following is a list of the Roxbury men who were of 
Captain Wadsworth's company, and killed at the Sudbury 
fight : Thomas Baker, Jr., John Roberts, Jr., Nathaniel 
Seaver [or Leason], Thomas Hawley [or Romley], Sr., 
William Cleaves, Joseph Pepper, John Sharpe, Thomas 
Hopkins, Samuel Gardner. 

CONCORD MEN. 

John Barnes lived in Concord in 1661, and married Eliza- 
beth Hunt in 1664. 

Joseph Buttrick was a son of William Buttrick, who came 
to New England in 1635, and died in 1698, aged eighty-two. 
His second wife was Jane Goodnow of Sudbury. 

James Hosmer was the oldest son of James, who came to 
Concord among the first settlers, and died in 1685. James, 
the son, married Sarah White in 1658. His widow married 
Samuel Rice. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 253 

Samuel Potter was son of Luke Potter, one of the first set- 
tlers at Concord and deacon of the church there. Samuel 
married Sarah Wright in 1675. 

MARLBORO MEN. 

In Hudson's " History of Marlboro" it is stated that the 
records of that town give the names of John Howe, Henry 
Axtel, and Eleazer Ward as being slain by the Indians in 
Sudbury; but whether in the Sudbury fight with Wads- 
worth, or not, is not known. 

John How was a son of John How, one of the petitioners 
for the Marlboro Plantation. He was born in 1640, proba- 
bly in Sudbury, and married in 1662. 

Henry Axtel was one of the proprierors of Marlboro at 
the time of its incorporation, and drew his land in the first 
division. He married in 1665, and was slain by the Indians 
between Sudbury and Marlboro, April 20, 1676. 

Eleazer Ward was born near 1619, married Hannah Rice, 
lived in Sudbury, and was killed by the Indians upon the 
highway between Sudbury and Marlboro, April 20, 1676. 

THE CHRISTIAN INDIANS. 

In connection with what has been said of the English who 
were in this battle, we will give a few facts concerning the 
Indians who came to the rescue under Captain Hunting. 
These were a detachment of the Christian Indians who had 
been placed on Deer Island' by the colonial authorities, after 
the outbreak of the war. Years before, they had been gath- 
ered by Rev. John Eliot into several villages, where they 
lived peaceably among themselves, and on friendly relations 
with the whites. Their character and conduct was such as 
showed the civilizing influence of Christianity, and the power 
of the gospel to uplift and bless their race. But a few acts 
by a few recreant and unfaithful ones aroused the suspicion 
of the English against them all, so that, instead of allowing 
them to be their allies, they exiled them to an island in Bos- 
ton harbor. But as the war progressed, their assistance was 
needed; and at the request of Mr. Eliot and General Gookin, 
the Governor and Council allowed a detachment to be placed 



254 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

under the command of Captain Hunting, and sent at once to 
Sudbury. In this service they showed their bravery and 
faithful attachment to the English. When they crossed the 
river, to discover the enemy's movements on the west side, 
they knew not but what Philip was in ambush for further 
prey, but they moved forward, and went beyond Green Hill ; 
and when in the solitude of the forest they beheld those 
prostrate forms, their stern spirits were melted, and it is said, 
they wept. 

MOVEMENTS OF THE ENGLISH AFTER THE FIGHT. 
The dead having been buried, the English repaired, ac- 
cording to Warren and Pierce, to Nobscot to bring the carta 
into "Sudbury towne." These carts are probably the same 
as those mentioned by Gookin, when he says, " At the 
same time [that is, at the time the survivors of this fight 
were secreted in Noyes's Mill] Captain Cutler of Charles- 
town, with a small company," — according to Hubbard, 
e l eveni — "having the convoy of some carts from Marl- 
boro that were coming to Sudbury, having secured his car- 
riage at a garrison house, escaped narrowly being cut off by 
the enemy." The same author goes on to state, that the 
enemy u at that time cut off some English soldiers that were 
coming down under the conduct of one Cowell of Boston, 
that had been a convoy to some provisions at Quaborg 
Fort." Other soldiers were soon on the march to the 
spot, the country having been aroused by this disaster to 
Wads worth. 

On April 22, 1676, it was ordered by the Council, " that 
the majors of Suffolk and Middlesex issue out their orders, 
Maj. Thomas Clark to the Captain of the troop of Suffolk, 
to raise forty of his troops, well attended, and completely 
armed with fire arms, and furnished with ammunition, under 
the conduct of Cornet Eliot, [and] such officers as he shall 
choose to accompany him, forthwith to visit Dedham, Med- 
field, and so to Sudbury ; and Major Daniel Gookin to issue 
out by onhr a like number of troops out of Middlesex troops, 
under the conduct of Thomas Prentis, or such as he shall 
choose, to visit Concord, Sudbury, and so to Medfield." 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 255 

The order to Cornet Eliot was, "You are ordered and 
requested to take forty of the troop, and so many as you 
can suddenly raise, and march with them into Sudbury, and 
inquire of their present distressed condition, and of the inter- 
ring of the dead bodies, as also of the enemy's motion, and 
place of their rendezvous, and if you have opportunity you 
are to distress, kill, and destroy the enemy to the uttermost, 
taking good heed lest, through any neglect, or too much 
adventurness, you hazard the lives of the men by their sud- 
den surprisal of you. You are also to visit Medfield, and 
make report of what you find to the Council, and in so doing 
this shall be your warrant." 

. Thus, after this disastrous battle, the English were on 
the move; but the Indians had departed westward. As we 
have noticed by the letter of Lieutenant Jacobs, they passed 
through Marlboro on the morning of the 22d, when the 
sun was about two hours high. This was Philip's westward 
retreat. He never retraced his footsteps. Sudbury was the 
last eastward town in his march. As a conqueror he could 
go no farther. On April 21 his sun had reached its merid- 
ian; on the 22d it turned towards its setting. His host was 
broken ; the ranks of his warriors began to thin ; and when 
he returned to his home at Mount Hope, it was to be hunted 
and harassed ; and Aug. 12, 1676, he fell by the hand of one 
of his race. 

sudbury's loss. 
The war with King Philip left the town in a weakened 
condition. Even had the people sustained but little direct 
loss, their prosperity would naturally have been checked by 
the imperiled state of the community ; but the actual loss to 
the people in property was considerable, as is indicated by 
various petitions, in which they set forth their circumstances. 
In 1677, some inhabitants of Marlboro, Lancaster, and Sud- 
bury sent a petition to the Court, asking that a certain tract 
of land lying about Marlboro, called by the Indians Whip- 
suffrage and Ocogooganset, might be given them. The rea- 
son of this request was, as they say, "Because many of 
which Indians in our late war have proved very perfidious 



256 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

and combine with the common enemy," and because we hav- 
ing been "upon ye Country's service, and hazarded our lives 
against ye common enemy, have suffered much damage by 
being driven from our habitation, and some of our habita- 
tions burnt." (State Archives, Vol. XXX., p. 240.) 

But we are not left to general statement of the material 
loss sustained, for the specific damage to each individual's 
property is given in "The Old Petition." The first part of 
the petition, together with a list of the losses, which we give 
here verbatim, is as follows : — 

To ye HonWe ye Governor Magistrates & Deputies of y e Gen' Court 
assembled at Boston y e 11* Octob r 107(3. 
The humble Petition of yor poore, distressed Inhabitants of Sudbury 

Humb'y Showeth. 

That whereas yor impoverished Petition" of Sudbury have received 
intelligence of a large contribution sent out of Ireland by some pious & 
well affected p sons for ye reliefe of their brethren in New England by ye 
hostile intrusions of ye Indian Enemy, and that upon this divers dis- 
tressed towns have presented a list of their losses sustained by fireing 
and plundering their estates. Let it not seem presumption in yor poore 
Petition" to p'sent a list of what Damages are sustained by yor enemies 
in his attempts; hoping that or lott will be considered among Our breth- 
ren of ye tribe of Joseph ; being encouraged by an act of Our HonWe 
Genu Court ; that those who have Sustained considerable damage should 
make addresses to this prsent session. 

An Accompt of Losse Sustenied by Severall Inhabitants of ye towne 
of Sudbury by y e Indian Enemy ye 21st Aprill 1676. 

Mary Bacon formerly ye Relict of Ensign Noyes 140 : 00 : 00 

Thomas Plimpton 130 : 00 : 00 

Deacon John Haines 180:00:00 

Segjosiah Haines 190:00:00 

Capt James Pendleton 060 : 00 : 00 

John Goodenow 150:00:00 

William Moores 180:00:00 

Edward Wright 100:00:00 

EliasKeyes 060:00:00 

John Smith 080:00:00 

SamuellHow 140:00:00 

Mr Pelham 050 : 00 : 00 

Mr. Stevens 015 : 00 : 00 

Corporall Henry Rice 180 : 00 : 00 

John Allen 060 : 00 : 00 
James Roose 



070 : 00 : 00 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 257 

John Grout junr 060 : 00 : 00 

Thomas Rice 100 : 00 : 00 

Widd Whale 024 : 00 : 00 

Henry Curtice 200 : 00 : 00 

John Brewer 120 : 00 : 00 

Jacob Moores 050 : 00 : 00 

Henry Loker 100 : 00 : 00 

Joseph ffreemon 080 : 00 : 00 

Joseph Graves 060 : 00 : 00 

Peter King 040 : 00 : 00 

Widd Habgood 020 : 00 : 00 

Benjamin Crane 020 : 00 : 00 

Jhomas wedge 015 : 00 : 00 

John Blanford 010 : 00 : 00 

Thomas Brewer 010 : 00 : 00 

Richard Burk 010 : 00 : 00 

Thomas Reade 003 : 00 : oo 



Wholl Sum 2707 : 00 : 00 

Beside ye uncovering ye Many houses & Barnes & some hundred of 
Acres of lands which are unimproved for feare of y e Enemy to Our 
greate loss & Damage — (Signed) 

Edm Browne Joseph [ ] 

Edm Goodnow Peter Noyes 

John Grout Jonathan Stanhope 

John Haines Edward wright 

Josiah Haines Jabeth Browne 

Thomas Read John Grout jun r 

Peter King Joseph Graves 

John Ruter sen" - Tho Walker 

Joseph Noyes John Blanford 

John Goodnow John Allen 

Mathew Gibs Henry Curtis 

Thomas wedge Jacob Moores 

Benjamin Crane John Brewer 
Zecriah Maynard James Ross 

Joseph Moore Richard Burk 

John Parminter Thomas Brewer 

Henry Loker Samuell How. 

The contribution to which the petition refers was called 
"The Irish Charity Donation or Fund.'" The gift was made 
in 1676, for the people in the Massachusetts, Plymouth and 
Connecticut colonies who had suffered in King Philip's War. 
It was " made by divers Christians in Ireland for the relieffe 



258 • HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

of such as are Impoverished, Distressed and in Nessesitie by 
the late Indian wars ; " sent by the " Good ship called the 
Kathrine of Dublin." Rev. Nathaniel Mather, the brother of 
Increase, is supposed to have been a means of procuring the 
fund. The proportion received by Sudbury was for twelve 
families, forty-eight persons, 7/. 4s. Od. This was to be deliv- 
ered to the selectmen of the several towns in meal, oat meal, 
and malt at 18c?. per ball, butter Qd. cheese 4d. per pound. 
The following is another section of the same petition : — 

Furthermore prmitt yc humUe Peticon rs to present a second motion. 
And let it be acceptable in y e eyes of this Our Grand Court vizt: 

That whereas by an Act of Our late Gen" Court ten rates are leavied 
upon Our towne amounting unto 200 lb : as appeareth p warrant from Our 
Treasurer, which said sum was leavied by Our Invoyce, taken in y e yeare 
before Our greate damage susteyned. It is y e humble & earnest request 
of yo r Petition^ to commiserate Our Condition, in granting to us some 
abatement of y e said sum for ye ensueing consideration, Vist: ffirst Our 
towne to pay full for theire estates then taken which in greate pte they 
have now lost by y e enemy's invasion may seem not to savor of pitty no 
not of equity 

Is it not reason'" that this service soe beneficiall should not be consid- 
ered with some reward which may not easily be esserted (sic) by issuing 
forth an Act of ye grace in a suitable abater^ of ye said sum leavied 
with y e conferring of a Parrell of Powder & suitable shott in regard that 
yo r Petioners have spent not only their owne stock or others but much 
of y e Towne stock. 

In response, " the Court judged meet to order that Sud- 
bury be allowed and abated forty fower pound ten shillings 
out of ye whole sume of their ten county rates." (Colonial 
Records, Vol. V., p. 124.) 



CHAPTER XIV. 

1675-1700. 

Revival of Prosperity after Philip's War. — Payment for Fortification of 
the Meeting-House. — Erection of Saw-Mill at Hop Brook. — Death 
of Rev. Edmund Browne; Place of Burial; Historical Sketch.— 
Settlement of Rev. James Sherman.— Purchase of Parsonage.— 
Building of New Meeting-House. — Political Disturbances. — Change 
of Charter. — Administration of Sir Edmund Andros.— Indian Hos- 
tilities. — The Ten Years War. — Distribution of Ammunition.— 
Petition of Sudbury. — Phipps Expedition. — Sudbury Canada Grant. 
— Witchcraft. — Samuel Paris ; Historical Sketch. — Incorporation of 
Framingham. — Miscellaneous Matters. 

The land lies open and warm in the sun, 
Anvils clamor and mill-wheels run ; 
Flocks on the hillsides, herds on the plain, 
The wilderness gladdened with fruit and grain. 

Whittier. 

The war with King Philip being ended, the way was 
opened for renewed prosperity. New buildings went up on 
the old estates, the garrisons again became quiet homesteads, 
and the fields smiled with plentiful harvests. An early move- 
ment was made to meet indebtedness caused by the war. 
March, 1676-7, it was ordered, " that the rate to be made 
for the fortification about the meeting house of this town 
shall be made by the invoice to be taken this spring, leaving 
out all strangers and sojourners, and that the logs there used 
be valued at two shillings six pence each, boards five shil- 
lings six pence per hundred foot, and every man's day's work 
at 18 d ." A little later, Feb. 26, 1677, it was ordered, "that 
such persons as have brought in logs for fortification of the 
meeting house, do bring in their account of logs, and all per- 
sons an account also for their days' work done thereupon 

259 



260 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

unto the town clerk between this and the next town meeting 
now appointed to be the 11 th of March next, and such as do 
not, shall lose both their logs and work, for the town will 
wait upon them no longer." 

ERECTION OF SAW-MILL. 

Another movement that denotes the town's activity and 
recuperative power was the erection of a saw-mill. A town 
record, dated March 26, 1677, informs us it was ordered that 
"Peter King, Thomas Read, Sen., John Goodenow, John 
Smith and Joseph Freeman have liberty granted them to 
build a saw mill upon Hop Brook above Mr. Peter Noyes's 
mill, at the place viewed by the committee of this town 
chosen the last week, which if they do, they are to have 
twenty tons of timber of the common lands for the building 
thereof, and earth for their dam, and also they are to make a 
small dam or sufficient causage so as to keep the waters out 
of the swamp lands there, provided also that if Mr. Peter 
Noyes shall at any time throw up his corn mill they do in 
room thereof set up a corn mill as sufficient to grind the 
town's corn and grain as Mr. Noyes's present mill hath done 
and doth, and see to maintain the same, and whenever they 
or any of them their heirs, executors, administrators, Assigns, 
or successors, shall either throw up their said corn mill or 
fail to grind the towns corn and grain as above said, the 
towns land hereby granted shall be forfeited and returned to 
the town's use again, and lastly the said persons are not to 
pen up the water, or saw at any time between the middle of 
April and first of September, and they are also to make good 
all the highway that they shall damage thereby." 

DEATH OF REV. EDMUND BROWNE. 

The town had not moved far on the road to renewed pros- 
perity before another calamity came. This was the death of 
its pastor, Rev. Edmund Browne, who died June 22, 1678. 
The first intimation we have on the town records of Mr. 
Browne's sickness is the following: "Ordered, that next 
Lord's day there be a free contribution [asked] and collected 
by Deacon Haines for and towards carrying and charge of 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 261 

Preacher (upon the sickness of Mr. Edmund Browne, Pas- 
tor) that the pulpit might be supplied notwithstanding, after 
the best manner that may be obtained." Captain Goodenow, 
Deacon Haines, Mr. Joseph Noyes and Peter King were em- 
powered to be a standing committee during the pastor's sick- 
ness, and ordered " to take care that this town be supplied 
with able Preachers whilst the Pastor is not able to offici- 
ate." "The following named persons offered themselves for 
the 1 st month to travel with horse and weekly to fetch and 
return Preachers for the supply of the town, at least every 
Lord's day. 1 st Peter Noyes, Joseph Parmenter, 2 d Tho. 
Brown, Joseph Moore, 3 d Jn° Goodenow, Joseph Graves, 
4 th Samuel How, Thomas Read, Jr." 

We have discovered no record, and are aware of no tradi- 
tion, relating to Mr. Brown's burial or place of interment. 
He may have been buried in the old yard in Wayland, and 
the grave may have been left unmarked, or the stone may 
have been broken or fallen, and been removed. It has been 
conjectured that his remains were placed in some tomb in or 
about the city of Boston. The writer has examined copied 
inscriptions on the stones of some of the older graveyards 
of Boston, but has discovered there no name which could 
be that of the first pastor of Sudbury. In Sewall's Diary 
is the following entry: "Monday, May 9th, 1709. Major 
Thomas Brown Esq. of Sudbury was buried in the old Bury- 
ing place. Bearers, Cook, Sewall, Hutchingson, Townsend, 
Jas Dummer, Dudley, Scarves and Gloves," "The old Bury- 
ing place " was that of King's Chapel, Boston. The wife of 
Major Thomas Brown was buried in the East Side Burying- 
ground, Sudbury. If Major Brown was not buried witli his 
wife, but it was considered important that his remains should 
be taken to Boston for interment, the same may have been 
the case with Edmund Browne. 

In the death of its first pastor the town met with a great 
loss. It is true, he was nearly or quite fourscore years old, 
but judging from his activity in the Indian war, in fortifying 
his house, and sending messages to the Colonial Court, he 
was still energetic and robust. Moreover, he had been with 
the people from the beginning of the settlement ; he had 



262 [II STORY OF SUDBURY. 

passed with them through the desolations of a terrible war, 
and had been a sharer of their joys and sorrows for many 
years. From what Ave know of him, we judge him to have 
been a warm friend of the truth, and an ardent defender of 
the Christian faith. It is certainly creditable to him, that, 
after such a long- pastorate, his people were of -a character 
to empower their committee to provide " an able Orthodox 
Preacher," after he was taken ill. 

Mr. Browne came from England in 1637, and, according 
to Mather, was ordained and in actual service in that coun- 
try before he came to America. He was a freeman of Mas- 
sachusetts Bay Colony, May 13, 1640. He married, about 
1645, Anne, widow of John Loveren of Watertown, but left 
no children. He was a member of the synod that established 
"The Cambridge Platform," 1646-8; was on the council 
that met in 1657 to settle the difficulties in Rev. Mr. Stone's 
church, Hartford : preached the artillery election sermon in 
1666; and his name is attached to the testimony of the 
seventeen ministers against the proceedings of the three 
elders of the First Church, Boston, about 1669. 

Mr. Browne was quite a land owner, his real estate, as it 
is supposed, amounting to three hundred acres. His early 
homestead at Timber Neck had originally belonging to it 
seventy acres. He received from the General Court a grant 
of meadow land situated in the present territory of Framing- 
ham, and from time to time became possessed of various 
lands both within and without the town. Mr. Brown 
hunted and fished, and it is said was a good angler. He 
played on several musical instruments and was a noted 
musician. In his will he speaks of his " Base Voyal " and 
musical books and instruments. He was much interested in 
educating and Christianizing the Indians, and at one time 
had some of them under his special care. His library was 
for those times quite valuable, containing about one hundred 
and eighty volumes. He left fifty pounds to establish a 
gramma)' school in Sudbury; but by vote of the town, in 
1724, it was diverted to another purpose. He also left one 
hundred pounds to Harvard College. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 263 

SETTLEMENT OF REV. JAMES SHERMAN. 

The town was not left long without a pastor. It soon 
called the Rev. James Sherman, who had preached during 
the illness of Mr. Browne. May 6, 1678, "it was ordered 
that the committee engage the service of Mr. James Sherman 
that hath officiated in the town in that kind to continue in 
that work till the first of September next, or longer as they 
shall see cause, or till further order from the town." May 
20, on a "training day," it was decided that Mr. Peter King 
was to entertain Mr. Sherman, and to have six shillings per 
week "for his diet, lodging, attendance, and horse." 

Active measures were immediately taken to provide the 
minister with a house. The town bought of John Loker the 
east end of his house, standing before and near the meeting- 
house, and his orchard, and the whole home lot of about four 
acres ; it also bought of him the reversion due to him of the 
western end of the house that his mother then dwelt in. 
This part of the house was to be the town's property at the 
marriage or death of the said Widow Mary Loker. For this 
property the town was to pay John Loker fifty pounds. (See 
p. 116.) The Widow Loker appeared at town-meeting, and 
surrendered all her reversion in the western end of the house 
to the town, reserving the liberty to have twelve months in 
which " to provide herself otherwise." She also promised in 
the meantime "to quit all egress and regress through the 
eastern end of the house and every part thereof." In conse- 
quence of this the town agreed to pay her annually — that 
is, till she should marry or die — twenty-five shillings, money 
of New England. The town also voted to raise twenty-five 
pounds with which to repair the house. The records inform 
us, that " the said town doth freely give and grant unto Mr. 
James Sherman, minister of the word of God, all that house 
and lands which the said town bought lately of John Loker, 
and twenty pounds to be paid him in [country] pay towards 
the repair of the said house, and also twenty pounds more to 
be paid him in money, for and towards the purchase of the 
widow Mary Loker's lot that lies adjoining to it, when she 



264 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

shall have sold it to the said Mr. James Sherman, and also 
six acres of common upland lying on the back side of the 
town at the end of Smith field, and also six acres of meadow 
ground some where out of the common meadows of this 
town. These foregoing particular gifts and grants the said 
town doth engage and promise to the said Mr. James Sher- 
man minister and his heirs ... in case he shall settle in this 
town and live and die amongst them their Teaching Elder. 
But in case the said Mr. Sherman shall not carry out the 
constant work of preaching in and to this town, during his 
life, or shall depart and leave this town before his death, 
then all the premises shall return to the said town's hands 
again to be a1 their own dispose forever, only they are then 
to pay to the said Mr. Sherman all the charges he hath been 
out for the same in the meantime, as [they] shall be judged 
worth by indifferent men mutually chosen, unless both par- 
ties shall agree therein among themselves." 

The town also agreed to pay Mr. Sherman eighty pounds 
salary; twenty pounds of this were to be paid him in "money, 
twenty pounds in wheat, pork, beef, mutton, veal, butter, or 
cheese, or such like species at country price, and the remain- 
ing forty shall be paid him in Indian Corn and Rye, or Bar- 
ley or Peas, all at country prices." He was to have five 
pounds added per annum to his salary for the cutting and 
carting home of firewood. He was also to have the use of 
the minister's meadow lands, and could pasture his cattle on 
the common land, and have firewood and timber from the 
common land of the town. 

The 30th of October, 1678, " the said Mr. James Sherman 
did then and there freely and fully declare before the town 
his acceptance of all that which the said town had granted 
and done in all respects as is before written, in consideration 
thereof for his part he did promise the said town, that he 
would live and die in the constant and public discharge of 
this duty, by preaching the word of the Lord unto them, and 
in the faithful administration of all the ordinances of Christ 
amongst them; which the Inhabitants of the said town ac- 
cepted of; and said Mr. Sherman also declaired there that if 
the mint house should be put down so that money cannot be 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 265 

had he should neither expect nor desire any part of his sal- 
ary in money." 

Thus the town secured the services of Mr. Sherman, and 
provided him with a place of residence ; and within a year 
after the death of Mr. Browne, the church was again equipped 
for work. Mr. Sherman was son of Rev. John Sherman 
of Watertown. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas 
Walker of Sudbury, and had two sons, John and Thomas. 
He was ordained in 1678, and was dismissed May 22, 1705. 
After leaving the pastoral office he remained in town for a 
time, occasionally preaching abroad. Afterwards, he prac- 
ticed medicine in Elizabethtown, N. J., and Salem, Mass. 
He died at Sudbury, March 3, 1718. 

NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 

During the pastorate of Mr. Sherman, the town took meas- 
ures for the erection of a new house of worship. Oct. 6, 
1686, "it was determined, ordered, and voted, that a new 
meeting house be built within this town with all convenient 
speed, after such manner as shall be resolved upon by the 
town." "It was ordered that the said new meeting house 
shall be erected finished and stand upon the present Burying 
place of this town and on the most convenient part thereof 
or behind or about the old meeting house that now is." 

The business of building the meeting-house was entrusted 
to Deacon John Haines, between whom and the town a cov- 
enant was made at a town-meeting, Jan. 10, 1685. It was 
to be raised on or before the first day of July, 1688 ; and for 
the work Mr. Haines was to have two hundred pounds, — 
one hundred and sixty pounds of it to be paid in " country 
pay and at country price," and the other forty pounds to be 
paid in money. The country pay was to be in " good sound 
merchantable Indian corn, or Rye, or wheat, or barley, or 
malt, or Peas, or Beef, or Pork, or work, or in such other 
pay as the said Deacon Haines shall accept of any person." 

The meeting-house was to be " made, framed and set up, 
and finished upon the land and place appointed by the town 
on the 6 th of October last past, in all respects for dimentions, 
strength, shape, . . . and conveniences, as Dedham meeting 



266 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

house is, except filling between studs ; but in all things else 
admitting with all in this work such variations as are particu- 
larly mentioned in the proposition of Corporal John Brewer 
and Sam 1 How." The town was to help raise the building, 
the clapboards were to be of cedar, the inside to be lined 
with either planed boards or cedar clapboards, and the win- 
dows were to contain two hundred and forty feet of glass. It 
was voted, "that Lent. Daniel Pond shall be left to his lib- 
erty whether he will leave a middle alley in the new meeting 
house, or shut up the seats as they are in Dedham meeting 
house, provided always that the seats do comfortably and 
conveniently hold and contain seven men in one end of the 
seats and seven women in the other end of the seats." 

At a town-meeting, Feb. 13, 1687-8, "a committee of 
eleven men were chosen to receive the new meeting house 
of Deacon John Haines, when it is finished according unto 
covenant made between him and the town," and also "to 
appoint persons how and where to sit in the meeting house. 
It was voted, "that the most considerable rule for seating ot 
persons in the meeting house shall be by what they pay to 
the building thereof, excepting in respect to some considera- 
ble persons or to age and other considerable qualifications. 
It was voted that there should be "a good, sufficient and 
strong ladder placed at the meeting house with as much 
speed as may be, to prevent whatsoever occurrence may hap- 
pen " "Mary Loker was to have one pound fifteen shillings 
for 'the year ensuing for sweeping the new meeting house 
and keeping it clean." It was voted, that " there should be 
a convenient place for the storing of the ammunition of the 
town over the window in the south west gable. I he dirt 
on the north east and south east side of the new meeting 
house was to be moved and placed at the foreside of it, and 
the ground was to be raised to within four or five inches of 
the sill, and to cover it with gravel and make a convenient 
way in at the door." 

A few years after this meeting-house was built a bell was 
provided for it. It cost "twenty and five pounds in money.' 
John Goodenow and Edward Wright paid this, and they 
bought the bell of Caleb Hubbert of Braintree. It was voted 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 267 

that John Parmenter should sweep the meeting-house from 
April 1, 1696, to April 1, 1697, for fourteen bushels of Indian 
or twenty shillings in money. The building being completed, 
a committee was chosen " to go to Dedham and clear up ac- 
counts with and obtain a discharge from Lieut. Daniel Pond 
concerning our new meeting house." 

CIVIL AND MILITARY DISTURBANCES. 

While the people of Sudbury were endeavoring to repair 
their misfortunes, they worked at a disadvantage. The 
country was by no means quiet. Disturbances, both civil 
and military, embarrassed the land. Kings in rapid succes- 
sion ascended the British throne. In 1685 came the death 
of King Charles, who was succeeded by James II., who was 
followed by William of Holland. Change in England meant 
change in America, and change in America meant change in 
the colonial towns. For some time there had been a con- 
troversy concerning the colony's charter. In 1685 it was 
declared that this charter was forfeited. The liberties of the 
people passed into the hands of the King of Great Britain, 
and the colony was called to submit to such form of govern- 
ment as Charles II. and James his successor saw fit to allow. 
But the people yet hoped to resume the old charter. Events, 
however, proved that these hopes were vain. In 1692 a new 
charter was brought to Boston by Sir William Phipps, and 
from a colony Massachusetts passed to a province, which 
included Nova Scotia, New Hampshire, Plymouth, Massa- 
chusetts, and Maine. With this change came new relations 
and laws. The new charter gave the governor extended 
power. He had the appointment of all the military officers, 
and, with the consent of the Council, the judicial also. He 
could call or adjourn the General Court, and no act of gov- 
ernment was valid without his consent. But before the com- 
pletion of this list of events, the community was agitated by 
a usurpation of power unsurpassed in the history of the 
colony. 

In 1686, Sir Edmund Andros was commissioned by King 
James to succeed Dudley as colonial governor. Andros 
proved a pernicious ruler, whose despotism was not long 



268 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

to be borne. Among bis arbitrary acts was imprisonment 
without trial, unjust and oppressive taxation, denial of the 
right of habeas corpus and the right of the people to hold 
their town-meetings. But the act which perhaps threatened 
the greatest embarrassment was that relating to real estate. 
The people were informed that they had unsound claims to 
their lands, and that the titles to them were void. Notwith- 
standing Indian deeds were produced, they were told these 
were "worth no more than the scratch of a bear's paw." 
Although King James is said to have commanded, that 
" the several properties according to the ancient records " 
should be continued to the people, yet the commission to 
Andros intimated his intention of assuming the whole "real 
property " of the country, and that landed rights were to 
be granted the people on such terms as the king might 
demand. 

The result was a general embarrassment, and on April 18, 
1689, there was a revolt and resort to arms. A council 
of safety was formed, and there met in Boston the 22d of 
May, the representatives of fifty-four towns. Sudbury sent 
Peter King as its delegate. He was instructed " to consult 
with the council sitting," and directed " not to resume the 
former charter government only that the present council 
should stand until we receive orders from his Royal High- 
ness the Prince of Orange, and that the prisoners in durance 
be safely kept until such time as they may be brought before 
lawful justice." Forty of the representatives of the fifty- 
four towns voted in favor of resuming the old charter. 
This, however, being opposed by Broadstreet, the presi- 
dent, and also by many of the old magistrates, it was agreed 
to resume only the government chosen in 1686 under the 
charter, until further orders were received from England. 
Forty delegates voted for this measure, and Mr. King of 
Sudbury was among the number. The dissolution of the 
old charter was in 1686. On May 26, 1689, a ship brought 
the news of the proclaiming of King William and Queen 
Mary ; and the arrival of the charter for' a province was in 

1692. 

Thus, when the country was stirred by civil commotion, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 269 

the town took its appropriate part ; and, despite the bustle 
and stir in these important matters of state, it pursued its 
steady way. The persons who served from Sudbury in the 
General Court from the deposition of Andros, in 1689, were 
Peter King, Peter Noyes, John Haynes, Joseph Freeman. 
(Mass. Hist. Coll., Vol. XXIV., p. 289.) 

THE TEN YEARS WAR. 

The disturbing elements of this period were not confined 
to civil relations. The border settlements were exposed to 
the sudden assaults of the savages, who needed only a pre- 
text or an opportunity to commence their depredations. An 
occasion was soon afforded. About 1689 hostilities broke 
out among the settlements of New Hampshire and Maine, 
and the county of Middlesex was called upon to send its 
troops and munitions of war to the ravaged districts between 
the Penobscot and Merrimac. But a war of greater propor- 
tions soon threatened the colony, and which was to be of 
a duration, not of months, but of years. This war, waged 
between England and France, and known as King William's, 
or the "Ten Years War," for about a decade of years, 
menaced the frontier towns of New England. The work of 
devastation was soon commenced, and revived the associa- 
tions of by-gone years. The musket was once more to be 
shouldered and the sword unsheathed in defense of imperiled 
firesides and the arbitrament of disputed rights. 

French authorities, with the sanction of the a-overnor sen- 
eral of Canada, sought an alliance with the Indians, and the 
French and savages combined made the border a perilous 
place. But the war affected the New England colony in 
general. Levies were made on the towns for men to man 
the outposts and to go on expeditions of an aggressive and 
hazardous nature. During these years of hostility Sudbury 
was less exposed than in the war with King Philip. Her 
greatest trial was from sudden incursions, and a liability to 
large drafts on her weak resources. It is recorded in the 
town book, that, in 1688, there was a distribution of the 
stock of ammunition. The following statement is accompa- 
nied by a list of persons who took the stock in charge : — 



270 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



The names of those persons as have taken the public stock of am- 
munition into their hands, and have agreed to respond for the sam.e in 
case that it be not spent in real service in the resistance of the enemy 
are as followeth. 



Benjamin Moore 

Samuel How 

Matthew Gibbs 

Mr. Hopestil Brown 

Daniel Stone 

Corp. John Bent 

Corp. Henry Rice 

Mr. William Brown 

Mathew Rice 

John Allen 

Mr. Peter Noyes 

Widow Mary Rice 

John Parmenter 
Mr. James Sherman 
Stephen Blandford 
John Grout, Jun. 
Thomas Knapp 
Benjamin Parmenter 
Sarjeant James Barnard 
John How. 



Captain Thomas Brown 
John Goodenow 
Lieut. John Grout 
Ensign Jacob Brown 
Peter King 

Lieut. Edward Wright 
John Rice 

Mr. Thomas Walker, Sr. 
Thomas Reade, Sr. 
Deacon John Haines 
Lieut. Josiah Haines 
Sargent Joseph Freeman 
Corp. John Brewer 
Joseph Curtis 
Mr. Joseph Noise 
Joseph Moore 
Zachariah Maynard 
Sargent John Rutter 
Jonathan Stanhope 
Corp. Richard Taylor 
Corp. Joseph Gleason 
Jonathan Rice 
Thomas Plympton 

The most of the persons thus named had allowed them 
a little over four pounds of powder, a little over thirty-three 
pounds of shot, and thirteen flints. About two years from 
this date, 1690, an order came to Major Elisha Hutchinson, 
commander of the forces, to detach » 18 able soldiers well 
appointed with arms and ammunition out of the several com- 
panies of his regiment to rendezvous at Sudbury upon Tues- 
day the 27 th of May with six days provisions a man." 

These things indicate a harassed condition of the country, 
and perhaps a near approach of the foe to Sudbury. Noth- 
ing, however, so forcibly sets forth the military service of 
the town in those times as a paper bearing no date, but found 
in the State Archives among others belonging to that period. 
The document, which is in the form of a petition, is as fol- 
lows : — 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 271 

To the honorable Governor, Deputy Governor, and to all our honored 
Magistrates and Representatives of the Massachusetts Colony, 
now sitting in General Court in Boston. 
The humble petition of us who are some of us for ourselves, others 
for our children and servants, whose names are after subscribed humbly 
showeth that being impressed the last winter several of us into dreadful 
service, where, by reason of cold and hunger and in tedious marches 
many score of miles in water and snow, and laying on the snow by night, 
having no provision but what they could carry upon their backs, beside 
hard arms and ammunition, it cost many of them their lives. Your hum- 
ble petitioners several of us have been at very great charges to set them 
out with arms, and ammunition, and clothing, and money to support 
them, and afterwards by sending supplies to relieve them and to save 
their lives, notwithstanding many have lost their lives there, others came 
home, and which were so suffered, if not poisoned, that they died since 
they came from there, notwithstanding all means used, and charges out 
for their recovery, others so surfeited that they are thereby disabled 
from their callings. Likewise your humble petitioners request is that 
this honored court would grant this favor that our messengers may have 
liberty to speak in the court to open our cause so as to give the court 
satisfaction. Your humble petitioners humble request is farther that 
you would please to mind our present circumstances, and to grant us 
such favors as seems to be just and rational, that we may have some 
compensation answerable to our burden, or at least to be freed from far- 
ther charges by rates, until the rest of our brethren have borne their 
share with us, and not to be forced to pay others that have been out but 
little in respect of us, whereas the most of us have received little or noth- 
ing but have been at very great charges several of us. If it shall please 
this honorable General Court to grant us our petition we shall look upon 
ourselves as duty binds us ever pray. 

John Haynes Sen. Thomas Walker 

Joseph Noyes Sen. John Barrer 
Peter Haynes Sen. [or Noyes] Samuel Glover 

Mathew Rice Joseph Gleason sen 

John Allen Thomas Rutter 

Mathew Gibbs sen Joseph Rutter 

Thomas Rice Benjamin Wight 

James Rice sen Peter Plympton 

Joseph Curtis . Israel Miller 

Josiah Haynes sen. Stephen Cutts 

(State Archives, Vol. XXXVI., p. 59.) 

This petition presents a story of sorrow. The service 
referred to was, it is supposed, in connection with the ill- 
fated expedition of Sir William Phipps in 1G90. In this 



272 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

expedition Sudbury was represented by a company of men, 
some of whom were from Framingham. A large force, con- 
sisting of forty vessels and two thousand men, most of whom 
were from Massachusetts, was fitted out for the capture of 
Quebec. The fleet sailed from Boston, and the land forces 
marched by way of Montreal and the lakes. But the great 
enterprise failed. Gotten up in haste, it was poorly pre- 
pared, and its military stores were but scant. Being late in 
the season, unfavorable weather jirevailed, the small-pox set 
in, and the expedition came back with its object unachieved. 
It is said that many more died of fever after the expedition 
returned to Boston. But this was not all. The money in 
the treasury was insufficient to pay the soldiers, and for the 
first time in the history of the country paper money was 
issued ; but from this the soldiers obtained only from twelve 
to fourteen shillings to the pound. 

Years after the Phipps expedition, survivors or their heirs 
petitioned the Court for land grants, and received them. 
These lands were called Canada grants. In answer to such 
a petition, Sudbury received land in Maine, which was 
called the Sudbury Canada grant. This grant now makes 
the towns of Jay and Canton. (New England Historical 
Antiquarian Register, Vol. XXX., p. 92.) The names of 
the petitioners for the foregoing grant have been preserved 
in a paper which bears date "Oct ye 26 th 1741." The list 
was given in connection with what was called " A lift tax of 
fifteen shillings a man." A few of these names are as fol- 
lows : Ward, Graves, Stone, Rice, Bridges, Newton, Walker, 
Woodward, Joseph Rutter, Gibbs, Peter Bent, Brewer, Sam- 
uel Paris. The petitioners were formed into a society, hav- 
ing Capt. Samuel Stone, treasurer, and Josiah Richardson, 
clerk, both of Sudbury. 

Thus along from 1688 till the declaration of Peace at 
Ryswick, Dec. 10, 1697, there was inconvenience and loss. 
On the 27th of July, 1694, a detachment of the Abenakis, 
under the Chief Taxous, crossed the Merrimac, and assailed 
Groton. where the Indians killed twenty-two persons and 
captured thirteen. In August, 1695, a sudden descent was 
made on Billerica, in which fifteen persons were killed or 




THE WALKER GARRISON HOUSE. 
See page I 99. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 273 

captured. Lancaster suffered in 1692, also in 1695, and in 
September, 1697, the Indians again entered the town. Thus 
near lurked the troublesome foe, and Sudbury doubtless felt 
its insecurity when it learned of these savage incursions in 
the neighboring towns. The following record on the Town 
Book bears testimony to this sense of insecurity: "Also 
agreed to call the town together for the choice of all town 
officers next lecture day at twelve of the clock, and it being 
a troublesome time with the Indians but few appeared." 

WITCHCRAFT. 

Another source of disturbance towards the last of the 
century was the witchcraft delusion. Supposed cases had 
occurred before in the Massachusetts Colony, and persons 
had been executed whom it was said had the power to 
bewitch men ; but in 1692, it broke out with renewed 
violence, and strangely disturbed societ}^. We know of no 
alleged cases in Sudbury; but a person prominently con- 
nected with Salem witchcraft subsequently went to Sudbury, 
and dwelt there until his death. This was the Rev. Samuel 
Paris, the first minister of what was then Salem Village, but 
now the town of Danvers. In view of this fact, a few words 
concerning the matter and Mr. Paris' sad history may not be 
amiss. 

The Salem witchcraft delusion began in Mr. Paris' family. 
During the winter of 1691-2 a compaiw of young girls were 
accustomed to meet at his house and practice fortune-telling, 
necromancy, and magic. It is stated they attained some skill 
in this matter, and that after a while they ascribed to it 
supernatural agency. The community became alarmed, and 
the physician called them bewitched. Two of these girls 
were of Mr. Paris' household, — one a daughter, the other a 
niece, neither of them over eleven years of age. The com- 
plaints made were similar to those made years before by the 
children of John Goodenow of Boston. An Indian woman 
named Tituba, who had been brought from New Spain, 
lived in Mr. Paris' family. Tituba was accused of being 
the witch, and of bewitching these children. She confessed, 
and claimed to have confederates. Had the children of Mr. 



074 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Paris been unnoticed, or the matter brushed lightly by, per- 
haps it had stopped light there; but they were pitied, and 
shown special attention, and new cases soon occurred. The 
work of accusation and suspicion went forward, and rapidly 
spread until it reached fearful proportions. Scores were 
apprehended, tried, and condemned, until men knew not 
when they were safe. 

The delusion was soon dispelled, and society resumed a 
more tranquil state ; but as the darkness broke it left bitter 
regrets ■ for the light shone on a record as sad as any in the 
■umals of the Massachusetts Colony. From Mr. Paris' posi- 
tion as pastor of the Salem Village Church, he may have 
come in contact with cases in a perfunctory way which gave 
him unpleasant publicity. In 1695 a council met at Salem 
Village to confer about the witchcraft matter as related to 
Mr Paris and his people. Shortly after this he left the 
church and the place. He became a trader, went to Water- 
town then Concord; but his stay in each place was short. 
He then went to Dunstable, where for a few months he 
preached. He at length went to Sudbury, and died there 
about 1720. Thus originated the Salem witchcraft, and thus 
passed away the man who received notoriety by it. 
1 MoraL — Deal not with familiar spirits. " Resist the devil, 
an d he will flee from you." Leave necromancy, magic, and 
all the black arts, and seek more substantial and sensible 

things. 

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

Mr Paris was the son of Thomas Paris of London. He 
went to Harvard College, but did not remain to graduate. 
Before preaching at Salem Village he preached at Stowe 
He was twice married, his first wife dying in 1696, at about 
the age of forty-eight, his second wife in 1719. His first 
wife was buried at Dan vers; her grave is marked by a head- 
stone upon which is the following verse, after which are the 
initials of Mr. Paris : — 

Sleep Precious Dust, no stranger now to Rest, 
Thou hast thy longed wish, within Abraham's Brest, 
Farewell Best Wife, Choice Mother, Neighbor, Friend, 
We'll wail thee less, for hopes of thee in the end. 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 275 

Mrs. Paris, it is said, was a good woman. Mr. Paris left 
several children. His daughter Dorothy, born 1700, became 
the wife of Hopestill Brown of Sudbury. Another daughter 
married Peter Bent. His son Noyes Paris, born 1699, took 
his first degree at Harvard College, 1721. His other son, 
Samuel, was born 1702. 

After Mr. Paris came to Sudbury, we conclude that for 
a time he taught school there. The records state, that in 
1717, Mr. Samuel Paris was to teach school four months of 
the year at the school-house on the west side of the river, 
and the rest of the year at his own house. If he was absent 
part of the time, he was to make it up the next year. In 
Book III., Sudbury Records, we have the following state- 
ment, with date May 25, 1722 : " These may certify that 
ye 28 pounds that ye town of Sudbury agreed to give Mr. 
Samuel Paris late of Sudbury, for his last yeares keeping 
school in s d town, is by Mr. John Clapp treasurer for said 
■ town by his self and by his order all paid as witness my 
hand John Rice excuter of ye last will and Testament of ye 
s d Mr. Paris." 

There are graves of the Paris family in the old burying- 
ground at Wayland. Towards the southeast side of it stands 
a stone with the following inscription : " Here lyes }*e Body 
of Samuel Paris, Who Died July 27 th 1742 in y e 8* year of 
his age." On another stone is marked: "Here lyes ye Body 
of Mrs. Abigail Paris who departed this life February ye 
15 th 1759 in ye 55 th year of her age." 

INCORPORATION OF FRAMINGHAM. 

At the close of the century, Sudbury lost a portion of the 
inhabitants who dwelt upon its southern border and were 
identified with the town. This loss was occasioned b}^ the 
incorporation of Framingham in 1700. A petition was pre- 
sented to the Court in 1792-3 (State Archives, Vol. CXIII.) 
by these people and others, who state, that they are "persons 
dwelling upon sundry farms lying between Sudbury, Con- 
cord, Marlboro, Natick, and Sherborn, and westerly in the 
Wilderness." They say they "have dwelt there about forty 
years, and are about forty families, some having built, and 



276 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

some building." They also say they "have endeavored to 
attend public worship some at one town, some at another;" 
and they ask to be made a township, and have the privileges 
usually accorded in such cases. The Court granted the 
request of the petitioners, and ordered that the farms adja- 
cent to Franiingham should be annexed to the proposed new 
town; and the people of Framingham having asked the 
Court "that the line between s d annexed farms and Sudbury 
be accepted," the request was granted. Some of the names 
attached to the petition are still familiar in Sudbury, viz. : 
Bent, Stone, Rice, Gleason, Walker, and How. 

STATISTICS. 

The population of the town toward the beginning of this 
period is indicated by the fact that in 1679 six tything-men 
were appointed, who were " to inspect from ten to thirteen 
families each." The following is a report made at a select- 
men's meeting, in 1682, of improved land in and bordering 
upon the town: "Lands of persons dwelling in the town, 
3896 acres. List of lands in town of persons dwelling else- 
where up and down the country, 2o22 acres. List of men's 
lands bordering about or near the town, amounted to 5130 
acres, in which Mr. Danforth's lands and Mr. Gookin's lands 
were not cast, because the contents were not certain." 

These were sent, together with the list of troopers in and 
about town, by Deacon Haines, commissioner, to Cambridge. 
The list of troopers that the town clerk made a rate upon. 
as mentioned with date 1683, is eighteen; and with date 
1682 we have the county's money rate mentioned as fol- 
lows : " The part to be collected on the east side the river, 
5ibs . 4s . 5d . on the west side the river, 4 lbs : 8 s : d ." 

Some little attention was given to matters of education in 
this period, as indicated by a selectmen's report dated March 
30, 1680. On Oct, 2, 1692, John Long was chosen as " a 
wrighteing school master, to teach children to wright and 
cast accounts." Mr. Long continued to serve the town as 
schoolmaster for several years. 

Thus closed the century in which the town of Sudbury 
had its beginning. It was a diversified history, in which the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 277 

light and shadow alternately played on the scene. But the 
power of a protecting Providence kept the people safe amid 
every trial and danger, and brought them forth with a pros- 
perity and strength which fitted them for the important 
events of the future. Probably but few, if any, who were of 
the original grantees in 1638, entered upon the scenes of the 
eighteenth century; but their children and children's chil- 
dren were to continue their work, and project their influence 
into far-off years; and as we continue the narrative, and 
consider the subsequent events in this history, we may see 
how the fathers lived in their sons. 



CHAPTER XV. 



1700-1725. 

Educational Advantages; Why so small.— School Laws by the Province. 
— Town Action. — Grammar School; Location. — Mixed Schools. — 
Masters. — School-Houses. — Ecclesiastical Matters. — Dismission of 
Rev. Mr. Sherman. — Ordination of Rev. Israel Loring. — Division 
of the Town into Two Precincts; Petitions, Remonstrances, Decision 
of the Court, Subsequent Action of the Town. — Call of Mr. Loring 
by the People of the West Precinct; His Acceptance. — Renewal of 
the Church Covenant by the People of the West Side; Subscribers 
Thereto. — Settlement of Rev. Mr. Cook in the East Parish. — Build- 
ing of a Meeting-House on the West Side; Location. — Removal of 
the East Side Meeting-House; New Location. 

The wealth of thought they knew, 

And with a toil-blest hand 
The path of learning, broad and free, 

Sped through our favored land. 

Miss Simes. 

A prominent feature in Sudbury at the beginning of 
the eighteenth century was the attention given to schools. 
Hitherto comparatively little had been done in this matter. 
As has been stated, means were provided for moral instruc- 



278 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

tion, but the opportunities for acquiring more than the rudi- 
ments of secular knowledge were extremely meagre. The 
causes of this were various. It was not an educational age, 
there was but one college in the Massachusetts Bay Prov- 
ince ; teachers at that day were scarce, and without proper 
i usi ruction there was but poor encouragement to establish 
public schools. Moreover, it was an age of economy. Care- 
ful expenditure was a necessity in that tax-burdened and im- 
poverished period. Society was bearing the burdens incident 
to the waste of successive wars. Specie was scarce and com- 
modities dear. To procure things needful for every-day life 
payment in country produce was often made. Sometimes 
town taxes were paid in wares. In 1687 the taxes of Hing- 
hara were paid in pails. In 1693 those of Woburn were paid 
in shoes. Various were the expedients that the towns em- 
ployed to meet necessary calls that were made upon them. 
No'wonder that in such times schools were neglected. It 
would not be strange if men were unmindful of every demand 
but those of stern necessity. 

But in 1692 a law was enacted, that every town in the 
province having fifty householders, or upwards, should be 
" constantly provided of a schoolmaster to teach children 
and youth to read and write; and where any town or towns 
have the number of one hundred families or householders, 
there shall also be a grammar school set up in every such 
town, and some discreet person of good conversation, well 
instructed in the tongues procured to keep such school." 
Any town neglecting this requirement one year was liable 
to be fined ten pounds. In 1701 the Provincial Court passed 
an additional school act, stating, concerning the former one. 
that it was "shamefully neglected by divers towns, and the 
penalty thereof not required tending greatly to the nourish- 
ment of ignorance and irreligion, whereof grevious complaint 
is made." For neglecting this second law the penalty was 
mad.' twenty pounds. This also proved quite insufficient for 
its purpose, for it was stated "many towns . . . would incur 
the penalty and pay for the neglect of the law rather than 
maintain the school required." In 1718 the Court enacted 
tltat the fine should be thirty pounds in the case of towns 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 279 

that had one hundred and fifty families, forty pounds in 
the case of towns of two hundred inhabitants. There was 
certain provision made by the law of the province by which 
the schoolmaster was to be maintained. He was to have a 
convenient house and competent salary. It was also pro- 
vided that the instructor should be an actual schoolmaster ; 
the town minister was not to act as a substitute. 

Such were some of the school laws at the beginning of the 
eighteenth century. That they affected town action is prob- 
able ; and very likely they exerted a powerful influence in 
procuring better schools in Sudbury. The records inform us 
that Jan. 1, 1702, the town voted that a rate should be made 
" to pay the 5 pounds the town was fined for want of a school 
master." This is the only time we hear of the town's receiv- 
ing the penalty. On the contrary, there is ample evidence 
of diligent endeavor to meet the law. Nov. 17, 1701, at a 
town-meeting, "it was voted to choose Mr. Joseph Noyes as 
a grammar school master for one year. . . . Also chose Mr 
W m Brown and Mr. Thomas Plympton to present the said 
school master unto the Rev. ministers for their approbation 
of him, which are as folio weth, Mr. James Sherman, Mr. 
Joseph Esterbrooks, Mr. Swift of Framingham." This Rev- 
erend Committee duly met, and examined the candidate, and 
reported as follows, Nov. 21, 1701: "We the subscribers 
being desired by the town of Sudbury to write what we 
could testify in concerning the justification of Mr. Joseph 
Noyes of Sudbury for a legall Grammar School master, hav- 
ing examined the said Mr. Joseph Noyes, we find that he 
hath been considerably versed in the Latin and Greek 
tongue, and do think that upon his dilligent revisal and 
recollection of what he hath formerly learned, he may be 
qualified to initiate and instruct the youth in the Latin 
tongue. Joseph Esterbrooks, John Swift." 

On the strength of this careful approval and guarded rec- 
ommendation, the successful candidate went forth to his 
work. He did not, however, long retain his position. For 
some cause not mentioned, the place soon became vacant ; 
and February of the same year Mr. Richer became Mr. 
Noyes's successor. The contract made with Mr. Picher was 



280 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

as follows : " It is agreed and concluded that the town will 
and doth grant to pay unto Mr. Nathaniel Picher six pounds 
in money in course hee dotli accept of the Towne's choice as 
to be our Grammar scool master, also for one quarter of a 
yeare, and to begin ye third of March next ensuing, and to 
serve in the place the full quarter of a yeare, one half of the 
time on the east side of the River, and the other half of 
the time on the west side of the river. This Grammar scool 
master chosen if he accepts and doth enter upon the work it 
is expected by the above said Towne, that he should teach 
all children sent to him to learn English and the Latin 
tongue, also writing and the art of Arithmatic." In 1703 
it was voted to pay Mr. Picher for service done that year 
twenty-eight pounds, "he deducting a months pay . . . for 
his being absent one month in summer time from keeping <>! 
scool, which amounth to twelfeth part of time;" "also voted 
and agreed as a free will, to give unto Mr. Picher two days 
in eve^ry quarter of his year to visit his friends, if he see 
cause to take up with it," In 1711, Lieut. Thomas Frink 
and Quartermaster Brintnall were "to agree with sum per- 
son who is well instructed in ye tongues to keep a scool." 
His pay was not to exceed thirty pounds. 

These records show something of the expense of a gram- 
mar school in the olden times; they also give hints of the 
character, duty, and pay of the teachers ; and of the manner 
of selection and examination. We have no means of know- 
ing the proficiency attained by the pupils in those grammar 
schools ; but with so much careful painstaking, and so large 
an expenditure of money, we may presume that something 
more than the mere rudiments were obtained. 

The place of the school was changed from time to time. 
In 1702 it was voted " that the scool master should keep y c 
scool on y e west side of y e river at y e house of Thomas Brint- 
nell, which is there parte of time belonging to y e west side of 
y e river." The custom of changing the place of the school 
was continued for many years; for we find the following rec- 
ord as Late as M±2: "Voted by the town that y e scool master 
shall keep scool one half of y e time on y e west side of y e river 
in Sudbury, voted by y e town, that y e scool master shall keep 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 281 

y e first quarter at y e scool house at y e gravel pitt, voted by 
y e town that y e second to bee keept on y e east side y e river as 
Near y e water as may be conveniant, voted by y e town that 
y e third quarter to be keept at y e house of insign John 
Moore, voted by y e town that y e fourth quarter to be keept 
at y e house of Clark Gleason." In the year 1717, Samuel 
Paris was to keep school four months of the year at the 
school-house on the west side of the river, and at his own 
house the rest of the year. If he was away part of the time, 
he was to make it up the next year. 

But in addition to these means for obtaining advanced 
instruction, there were schools of a simpler character. About 
the time that provision was made for a grammar school, we 
read of "masters who were to teach children to rede and 
wright and cast accounts." This was done in 1701, at which 
time the town " voted and chose John Long and John Bal- 
com " for the purpose just stated, and to pay them for one 
year thirty shillings apiece. From this time repeated refer- 
ence is made in the records to schools of a primary or mixed 
character. 

Among the schoolmasters who served before 1750, are 
William Brintnal, Joseph Noyes, Nathaniel Picher, Jonathan 
Hoar, Samuel Paris, Nathaniel Trask, Jonathan Loring, John 
Long, John Balcom, John Mellen, Samuel Kendall, Ephraim 
Curtis, and Zachery Hicks. Some of these taught for a suc- 
cession of terms or years. William Brintnal taught a gram- 
mar school as late as 1733-4, and receipts are found of Samuel 
Kendall in 1725 and 1736. 

Prior to 1700, school-house accommodations were scant. 
There was no school building whatever. In 1702 " the town 
agreed that the school should be kept at the meeting house 
half a quarter and the other half quarter at the house of 
Benjamin Morses." But it is a law of progress that improve- 
ment in one direction suggests improvement in another ; so 
with better schools better accommodations were sought for. 
Jan. 1, 1702, the " town voted and paste into an act, to have 
a convenient scool hous ; " also voted " that the scool house 
that shall be built by the town shall be set and erected as 
near the centre of the town, as may be conveniantly set upon 



282 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the town's land;" also "that it be twenty feet in length 
• • • eighteen feet in breadth, seven feet from the bottom ot 
the ceU to the top of the plate, a large chimney to be within 
the house, the house to be a log house, made of pine, only 
the cells to be of white oak bord and shingles to be covered 
with Also the chimney to be of stone to the mortling and 
finished with brick. This was paste into an act and vote 
Jan 15 th 1701-2." At another meeting it was decided " that 
there should be two scool houses;" that they should be of 
the same dimensions; and "that the one on the east side 
should be set near to Enoch Cleavland's dwelling house. 
It was afterwards voted that "the scool houses should be 
builte by a general town acte and that the selectmen should 
make a rate of money of 20 pounds for their erection." One 
of the houses was to be placed "by Cleafflands and the other 
near unto Robert Mans." In 1711 the town voted to have 
but one school-house, and this school-house was to be built 
at " v e gravel pitt." " Y e scool house " here mentioned was 
" to be 20 foot long, 16 foot wide, six foot studd, nine foot 
and a half sparrl. Ye sills to be white oak ye outside, to be 
horded and ye bords to be feather edge. Ye inside to be 
birch and horded with Ruff bords, lower and uper flower to 
be bord and a brick Chemne, and two glass windows 18 
Enches square pe' window, and the Ruffe to be horded and 
shin-led." It was to be ready for a school by the last ot 
May, 1712. Joseph Parmenter was to make it, and have for 
pay fourteen pounds. 

The evidence is that the desire for school privileges spread, 
and that the extremity of the town soon sought for increased 
advantages. April 17, 1719, the town was called upon "to 
see if it will grant the North west quarter of the towns peti- 
tion, they desiring the school master some part of the time 

with them." t 

The above records comprise the most important ones relat- 
ing to schools during this period. As we leave these educa- 
tional matters, some reflections arise concerning their relation 
to the town's future and far-reaching history. They were 
the beginnings of great and long-lasting influences. Ihose 
humble houses of the early New England schools were the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. '283 

town's nurseries of useful knowledge. In them minds were 
disciplined for that active period which, before the century 
closed, was to shape the country's career, and make of the 
colonies a great cluster of states. What a work was wrought 
within them ! What responsibility was upon those who had 
charge of these far-back beginnings ! We have found noth- 
ing on the records to indicate what methods were employed 
in governing or teaching; but there is abundant room for 
the supposition that those who founded and those who 
taught these schools feared God ; and that they considered 
his Word a book suitable to be read and taught in all places 
of learning. No wonder, that, with such a beginning, our 
common schools have had such great success ; and that the 
influences that survived those times, manners, and men 
should have such large and lasting results. 

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS. 

As in educational matters, so in those pertaining to the 
church, we find the period prolific in change. Great and 
important events transpired relating to the meeting-house, 
the minister, and the people. The first change was the 
dismission of the pastor. On May 22, 1705, the pastoral 
relation between Rev. James Sherman and the people of 
Sudbury was dissolved. But not long was the church left 
pastorless. The same year of Mr. Sherman's removal a 
town-meeting was held, in which it was voted "y* y e town 
will chose a man to preach ye word of God unto us for a 
quarter of a year." The Rev. Israel Loring was chosen for 
the term mentioned. He began to preach in Sudbury, Sept. 
16, 1705 ; and the result was he was ordained as pastor, Nov. 
20, 1706. 

After the settlement of Mr. Loring ecclesiastical matters 
were not long in a quiet state. A new subject soon engrossed 
public attention. There was an attempt made to divide the 
town into two parochial precincts. The west side people 
doubtless loved the little hillside meeting-house, about which 
were the graves of their friends, and whose history was asso- 
ciated with so much of their own. Their fondness for it had 
doubtless increased as the years passed by, and there clus- 



284 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

tered about it memories of things the sweetest and the sad- 
dest that had entered into their checkered experience. Here 
their children had been offered in baptism ; here had been the 
bridal and the burial, the weekly greetings and partings, the 
exchange of intelligence of heart and home. It had been the 
place for prayer and the preached word; a place of watch 
and ward, and a place of resort in times of danger. But not- 
withstanding their fondness for the sacred spot, they were 
too practical a people to allow sentiment to interfere with 
their true progress, and what they believed to be their spirit- 
ual good. With their slow means of transit, and the rough 
roads of that period when at their best, it was a long and 
weary way they had to travel every Sabbath day; but when 
the roads became blocked with the drifting snow, or the river 
was swollen with floods, then it was sometimes a perilous 
undertaking to reach the east side meeting-house and return. 
In that primitive period the people of Sudbury did not desire 
even a good excuse to keep them from public worship ; they 
were Puritanic in both precept and practice. They would 
allow no small obstacle to cheat their soul of its rights ; but 
if there were hinderances in the way to their spiritual helps, 
they required their immediate removal. 

Hence, a movement was inaugurated to divide the town, 
and make of it two precincts, in each of which there should 
be a church. A primary act for the accomplishment of this 
purpose was to obtain the consent of the General Court. To 
do this a petition was presented, which, as it tells its own 
story, and sets forth the entire case, we will present: — 

Petition of the West Side people of Sudbury to Governor Dudley and 
the General Assembly. 
The petition of us who are the subscribers living on ye west side of 
Sudbury great River Humbly showeth that wereas ye All wise and over 
Ruling providence of ye great God, Lord of Heaven and Earth who is 
God blessed forever moore, hath cast our lott to fall on that side of the 
River by Reason of the flud of watare, which for a very great part of the 
yeare doth very much incomode us and often by extremity of water and 
terrible and violent winds, and a great part of the winter by ice, as it is 
at this present, so that wee are shut up and cannot come forth, and many 
times when wee doe atempt to git over our flud, we are forced for to seek 
our spiritual good with the peril of our Lives. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



285 



Beside the extreme Travill that many of us are Exposed unto sum 
3:4:5:6 miles much more than a Sabbath days Jurney, by Reason of 
these and many more objections, to many here to enumerate, whereby 
many of our children and little ones, ancient and weak persons, can very 
Rarly attend the public worship. The considered premises we truly 
pray your Excellency and ye Honorable Council and House of Repre- 
sentatives to consider and compassionate us in our Extreme suffering 
condition, and if we may obtain so much favor in your Eyes as to grant 
us [our presents] as to appoint us a Commity to see and consider our 
circumstances and make report thereof to this honorable Court. And 
your pore petitioners shall ever pray. 

Sudbury, January 15th 170£ 



John haynes. Jr. 

Robert Man his mark 

Benjamin wright. 

David Haynes. 

Prefer haines. 

Thomas Brintnal. 

Edward Goodnow his mark 

John Goodenovv, jr 

Ephraim Garfield, his mark. 

Thomas Smith, Junior. 

Jonathan Rice. 



John Goodnow. 

John haines 

John Brigham 

William Walker. 

George Parmenter. 

David how. 

George Parmenter, Jr. 

Joseph Parmenter. 

John brigham. 

Samuel vvillis. 

Joseph willis 

Richard Sanger. 

Tho : Smith 

Joseph Hayes [Haynes] 

timothy gibson, Jr 

Joseph F. Jewel (his mark). 

Isaac Mellen 

Melo C. Taylor, (his mark). 

John Balcom. 

Joseph Balcom. 

(State Archives, Vol. II., p. 221.) 



It was ordered that the town of Sudbury be served with a 
copy of the petition, and notified to attend the next session 
of the Court, and present objections if they had any. At 
a town-meeting in Sudbury, Oct. 4, 1707, a committee was 
chosen to attend the General Court, and give answer to the 
above petition. The committee whs composed as follows : 
" M r Joseph Noyes, Lieut. Hop 11 Brown, Ens. Sam" King, 
Mr. James Barnard, Mr. Noah Clapp, Mr. Thomas Plymp- 



286 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

ton." This committee duly appeared to present a protest 
to the west side petition. The following are their words of 
remonstrance : — 

The committee chosen humbly showeth, 

That whereas a petition hath been presented to this Hon. Court in 
their late session by a Small number of persons Dwelling on the west- 
erly side of the river in Sudbury, (though Privately carried on) 

Praying that these may be a precinct by themselves &c. we do Hum- 
bly offer to your Judicious consideration 

That the number thus Petitioning is but Small and that others Inhab- 
iting on the westerly side of said River a number near Equal to them, 
Do oppose the same Looking on such a motion by their neighbors att 
this Time Especially to be Unseasonable and unreasonable, considering 
1.) the Great Expense that we have of Late been att: Occasioned by 
the deposition of our Late, and the Settling of our Present Minister. 
(2.) The vast Expenses attending the same, calls and may call for, 
Obliges us to Request that the Division Petitioned for, may be sus- 
pended, we deem ourselves incapable of affording, 

1st Two Orthodox minister's Gospel maintainance, 2nd we are Ready 
to afford to our neighbors what help we can in making the Causway. 
(so much complained of) passible in ordinary floods, by allotting to every 
man his quota or proposition to raise, which would be much for the Ben- 
efit of Travellers, as well as ourselves. 

Finally there are also some of those who now petition for division : 
that did complain, and declare that the Salary granted to our present 
minister was so Great that the town was not able to perform it, and if 
they Plead their remoteness from the public worship of God : we humbly 
offer that if the meeting house be placed in the Centre of the Inhabitants 
on the westerly side of the river (where we may expect it will be), many 
of their dwellings will be as Remote from the meeting house as they are 
now, We might bring many more objections which might be of weight, 
but shall add no more, but leave these to the Judicious consideration of 
this Honourable Courte, and follow these our Representatives with our 
petitions to the High Court of Heaven, that this Honouable Court may 
be so directed in this and in every affair before them, that Gods Glory 
and the Prosperity of Religion may be promoted, and we, your most 
humble and obedient servants, may have ever cause to pray &c. 

Sudbury. October. 29« h : 17U7. 

Joseph Noyes, James Barnard, 

Thomas Plympton, Noah Clapp, 

Samuel King. 

(State Archives, Vol. II., p. 227.) 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



287 



The following names are signed to the original document 



WEST SIDE INHABITANTS. 

Hop 11 Browne 
Tho': Plymton 
Sam 11 Wright, 
Joseph Goodenow 
John Moore 
Matt w Gibbs 
Noah Clapp 
Joseph Stanhope 
John Gibbs 
William Arnold 
Tho s Read Ju r 
Josiah Hayden 
Go s Steenens 
Tho 3 Cuttler 
John Rice 

widow Sarah Bowker 
Benj Moore 
Nath 11 Rice 
wid : Arabella Read 
John Biirk 
Kphranin Pratt 
Peter Plymton 
Tho s Read 
Joshua Hayns 



A True Coppy 



EAST SIDE INHABITANTS. 

John Rice 
Joseph Gleason S er 
Matt w Stone 
Sam 11 Graves 
Jo 8 Chamberlim 
Jo 3 Moore S er 
Jo 3 Moore 
Jo s Noyes 
Jo n Long 
Benj parmento r 
Isaac Stanhope 
John Allin 
John Parmintor 
Edmund Rice 
Matt w Rice 
her mark James Brewer 
Nat 11 Moore 
Tho s Brown 
Ephaaim Rice 
Isaac Gleason 
John Graues 
John Grout 
James Ross 
Tho 3 ffrinke 
Geron Jennison 
Ebe r Rice 
Sam 11 Allin 
Jon 1 Rice 
Joseph Gleason J r 
John abbutt 
John Adams 
Sam 11 King 
Jon' Griffin 
Ephraim Curtiss 
John Loker 
Tho 8 Moore 



After hearing both petition and remonstrance, the Court 
ordered that a committee should be sent, and report what 
the case required. This committee was made up of Capt. 
Samuel Checkley, [Capt.] Thomas Oliver, and Capt. Jonas 
Bond. These parties " were to join with such as the hon- 



288 HTSTORY OF SUDBURY. 

ourable board should nominate, and they were to go upon 
the parish and hear what was for or against, notifying the 
town at least a week beforehand." John Phillips and Joseph 
Lynde, Esq., were named a committee of the board for the 
office aforesaid, and the petitioners were to pay the charges 
of the committee. The report of these parties was rendered 
May 13, 1708. It was in substance, that they considered 
" the thing was necessary to be done, but their opinion is, 
that now by reason of the [grievous] times not so conven- 
i:\nt." 

But the petitioners were not to be baffled by an answer 
like this. Accordingly, again they presented their case by 
another petition, dated May 26, 1708-9. This second peti- 
tion sets forth the case thus : — 

The Humble Petition of Several of the Inhabitants of the town of Sud- 
bury, on the west side of the River. 
To Court session assembled May 26* 170| showeth that your Peti- 
tioners lately by their Petition to the Great and General Assembly, rep- 
resented the hardships & Difficulties they Labored when by reason of 
their distance from the meeting house and the difficulty of getting over 
the water and Some times Impossibility, there being three hundred and 
sixty five on that side and sometimes in the winter not one of them can 
possibly go to meeting, the East and West sides are Equal in their pay- 
ments to the minister and therefore praying they might be made a Pre- 
cinct and have a meeting house and minister of their side of the River, 
wherupon the petition was refered to a committee who upon Considera- 
tion of the premises (as your petitioners are Informed) have made a 
Report to this Great and General assembly that the thing was necessary 
to be done, but their opinion is that now by reason of Troublesome 
Times not so Conveniant. 

Your [Petitioners] thereupon humbly pray that this great and General 
assembly would please to Grant them the Prayer of their petition, that 
they may be Empowered to build a meeting house and have a minister 
settled on their side, in such time as to this Great and General Assem- 
bly shall seem meet and Yo' Petitioners (and as in duty bound) shall 
pray, John Brigham, John Balcom. In behalf of ye rest. 

This petition was more successful, and obtained, in part 
at least, what it sought ; and the following, read in council, 
the 28th of May, 1708, and read a second time and concurred 
in, June '24th, the same year, was ordered: — 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 289 

Notwithstanding the present difficulties represented by the commit- 
tee, If the Inhabitants on West side the River think themselves able to 
Erect a meeting House and support a minister and shall present a Sub- 
scription to this Court amounting to fifty pounds per annum for his 
maintenance during the first seven years, 

That then the Prayer of their Petition be Granted, to bee a Parish or 
Precinct by themselves. And that they have liberty to erect a meeting 
house for the Public worship of God, and to invite and procure a Learned 
Orthodox minister of good conversation to preach to them. 

Always Saving Inviolate, and in no ways Infringing the Contract and 
agreement of the Town made with Mr. Loring, the present minister, and 
his maintenance, to be duly paid him accordingly, until the Town in 
General shall make other Provision or the Court take further Order. 

But, although the petitioners received permission to build 
a, meeting-house, years elapsed before they availed themselves 
of the privilege. Meanwhile the subject was more or less 
agitated. Various measures for the adjustment of matters 
were proposed, and failed. At one time there was action by 
the town, at another by the Court. In 1712-13 there was a 
town-meeting, " to see if the town will do any thing to bring 
the house into y e center of y e town, or within a quarter of a 
mile of y e centre, or as near y e centre as may be conveniant, 
y e town of Sudbury being seven miles long, and y e meeting 
house as it now standeth but about a mile and half from 
y e east end of said town." 

In December, 1715, a committee was appointed by the 
Court, who assigned a place for the meeting-house. Tradi- 
tion states that a spot about a mile northeasterly of Sudbury 
Centre, and not far from the Thomas Plympton estate, was 
once designed for the meeting-house. This may have been 
the place assigned by the committee of 1715. In 1720 the 
town voted to remain an entire town ; to have a meeting- 
house on the west side of the river sufficiently large to 
accommodate all, and to have it built at or near the Gravel 
Pit. 

June 9, 1721, it was ordered by the General Court that 
"a new meeting house be erected, built, and finished upon 
the place assigned by a committee assigned by y e s d Court, in 
Dec. 1715, and that y e old meeting house be put into good 
repair." At a town-meeting, Dec. 26, 1721, held at the house 



290 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

of Mr. George Pitts, it was agreed " to grant 24 pounds for 
preaching for the present on the westerly side of the river." 
It was also decided at that meeting to choose a committee to 
present a petition to the General Court, "that y e west side 
inhabitants may have liberty to place their meeting house on 
y e rocky plaine ; " which request was granted. 

The preliminary work of forming two parochial precincts 
was now completed; it only remained to adjust ecclesiastical 
relations to the new order of things, and provide whatever 
was essential to its success. The church was to be divided, 
ministers secured, and a meeeting-house built. All these 
came about in due time. After the decision, in December, 

1721, "to have the preaching of the word amongst us," and 
the granting of money to meet the expense, Rev. Mr. Minot 
waslnvited to preach six Sabbaths in the west precinct. It 
may be that about this time Mr. Loring preached some on 
the west side, since on the town debt, as recorded April 9, 

1722, there stands this statement : " To Mr. Israel Loring to 
y e supporting y e ministry on both [sides] y e river in Sud- 
bury 80. 0. 0." 

But more permanent arrangements were soon made. On 
the 6th of June, 1722, they extended a call to Rev. Israel 
Loring, and offered "£100 for his settlement." July 10, Mr. 
Loring responded to the invitation in the following words : 
« To the Inhabitants of the west Precinct in Sudbury : I 
accept of the kind invitation you have given me to come 
over and settle and be the minister of the Westerly Pre- 
cinct." A few days after the above invitation the east side 
invited him to remain with them, and took measures to pro- 
vide for "their now settled minister, Mr. Israel Loring." 
The day after replying to the first invitation, he wrote to 
the east side people informing them of his decision to leave 
them and settle in the west precinct. Mr. Loring moved to 
the west side, July 25, 1723. (Steams' Collection.) He 
lived about a mile toward the north part of the town, m 
what was afterwards an old red house, on the William Hunt 
place that was torn down some years since. He subse- 
quently lived at the centre, on what is known as the 
Wheeler Haynes place. 




THE LORING PARSONAGE, Sudbury Centre. 



HISTOEY OF SUDBURY. 291 

The church records by Mr. Loring state as follows: " Feb. 
11, 1723. The church met at my house, where, after the 
brethren on the east side had manifested their desire that 
the church might be divided into two churches, it was so 
voted by majority." At the time of the division of the 
church, the number of communicants on the west side was 
thirty-two males and forty-two females. (Stearns' Collec- 
tion.) The Church Records went into the possession of the 
West Parish. On March 18, 1724-5, the west side people 
"entered into and renewed" a "holy church covenant," to 
which were subscribed the following names : — 

Israel Loring David Haynes. 

Hopestill Brown Peter Plympton. 

James Haynes Sen' Noah Clap 

John Clap Sem Ephraim Pratt 

Thomas Read Sen' Joseph Noyes 

Peter Haynes. John Moore. 

Benjaman Wright, Daniel Estabrooke 

Joseph Goodenow Hopestill Brown Jun. 

John Rice, James Craige, 

Samuel Willis. Joseph Brown. 

Thomas Read Jun. Jonah Haynes. 

John Brigham, Micah Stone. 

John Haynes. Ebenezer Dakin. out of town. 

David Parmenter, John Clap Jr. 

Joseph Gibbs, dismissed, Peter Noyes, 

David Maynard. James Haynes. 

While ecclesiastical matters were in process of adjustment 
on the West side, they were progressing towards a settlement 
on the East side also. It is stated that the East Precinct 
was organized June 25, 1722. (Temple.) When the effort 
to secure the services of Mr. Loring proved futile, a call was 
extended to Rev. William Cook, a native of Hadley, Mass., 
and a graduate of Harvard College. The call being accepted, 
Mr. Cook was ordained March 20, 1723, and continued their 
pastor until his death, Nov. 12, 1760. (See period 1750- 
1775.) The town granted eighty pounds to support preach- 
ing on both sides of the river for half a year. 



292 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

NEW MEETING-HOUSES. 

An important matter in connection with the new order of 
things was the erection of new meeting-houses. This work 
received prompt attention. "At a town meeting January 
2' 7 - 172§ the town granted five hundred pounds to build a 
new meeting house on the west side, and repair the old one 
on the east side, three hundred and eighty pounds for the 
new and one hundred and twenty pounds for the repairing 
the old on the east side." The sum for repairing the old 
house was at a subsequent meeting made one hundred and 
fifty pounds. That this grant of the town was followed up 
by speedy action is indicated by the following receipt, dated 
Sudbury, May 31, 1725: — 

Received of Deacon Noah Clap treasurer for the town of Sudbury, 
ten pounds four shillings and four pence, in full of all accounts relating 
to the building of the new meeting house in the west precinct of said 

SU Thi7'ten pounds, four shillings, and four pence, and former receipts 
of money, making the sum of four hundred pounds, we say received 
° -' ° Abraham Wood, 

by us - Joseph Dakin. 

The meeting-house in the West Precinct was placed on 
the site of the present Unitarian Church in Sudbury Center. 
The location was probably selected because central to the 
inhabitants of the West Precinct. The following town rec- 
ord is interesting, not only because it relates to the location 
of the meeting-house, but to other familiar landmarks in the 
vicinity : — 

Sudbury. June 12: 1725. laid out to the right of Brian t Pendleton, 
sixteen acres and one hundred and forty rods on and adjoining to the 
pine Hill, near to and Northwesterly of the meeting house on Rocky 
Plain in the west precinct in said Sudbury, southerly partly by a h,gh- 
vav or road leading from Pantry towards Mr. Wood's mills (at South 
Sudbury), along by said meeting house, partly by land laid out for a 
buying place and accommodations for and about said meeting house 
and part v by Lancaster road, westerly by land claimed by the Grouts 
and northerly bounded by land claimed by James Craig, In part and 
partly by land claimed by the Maynards, and easterly bounded by said 
Maynards land. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 293 

There is no evidence that when the West side meeting- 
house was built there was so much as a humble hamlet at 
Rocky Plain. The presence there at that time of a single 
house is all that is indicated by tradition or record. In sev- 
eral instances the records state something about " y e new 
house on rocky plain." In May, 1722, there was a town- 
meeting at the new house on Rocky Plain. Oct. 11, 1722, 
"a meeting was held at the new house on rocky plain" to 
attend to matters relating to a new meeting-house. The 
first town-meeting that was held in the new church edifice 
was on Aug. 5, 1723. At that time it was voted to have the 
warnings for town-meetings for the future posted on both 
sides of the river at the two houses of worship. 

Near the spot selected for the meeting-house was the 
burying-ground set apart by " y e Proprietors of y e undivided 
lands " in 1716-17. (See p. 121.) This reservation may 
have influenced the people in the selection of Rocky Plain 
for the new meeting-house ; and the erection of the meeting- 
house there probably determined the location of the central 
village of the West Precinct, and in later years of the town 
of Sudbury. Furthermore, if the town at this time had 
decided to remain one parish, and erected a meeting-house 
near the Gravel Pit, for the accommodation of all, the prin- 
cipal village would have been gathered in that locality, and 
the town might have remained undivided to this day. 

After the setting off of the West parish, it was considered 
advisable to move the East side meeting-house nearer the 
centre of the East Precinct. Jan. 29, 1721-2, "the town by 
a vote showed its willingness and agreed to be at the charge 
to pull down y e old meeting house and remove it south and 
set it up again." At the same meeting they chose a com- 
mittee to petition the General Court for permission. In a 
paper dated Dec. 28, 1724, and signed by Mr. Jennison, 
Zechariah Heard, and Phineas Brintnal, it is stated that they 
were " the committee who pulled down and removed the old 
meeting house in the East Precinct of Sudbury." About 
1725 was recorded the following receipt: "Received of Mr. 
John Clap, late treasurer of the town of Sudbury, the sum 
of four hundred pounds in full, granted by said town to 



294 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

carry on the building of a meeting house in the East Pre- 
cinct in said town. We say received by us, Joshua Haynes, 
Ephraira Curtis, John Noyes, Samuel Graves, Jonathan Rice, 
Committee." This building was located at what is now 
Wayland Centre, on the corner lot just south of the old 
Town House. The town instructed the committee "to make 
it as near as they can like the new house in the West Pre- 
cinct, except that the steps " are to be hansomer : " it was 
also to have the same number of pews. There is on record 
the following description of material used for one of the pul- 
pits, together with the price : — 

Seaming fringe = 10 = 

4 Tassels. 1 — 4 = 

2 yards very fine Silk Plush 2 = = 0. 

If yds Tickn for the Cush" = 7=7. 

4 lbs. finest feathers, a. § 3 : = 11 = 3. 

Making Cushn Pill & filling = 1 = 6. 

Thus at last both precincts were provided with new meet- 
ing-houses, and a matter was settled that had occasioned 
much interest and more or less activity for nearly a quarter 
of a century. Doubtless participants in the affair at the 
beginning and during its progress had passed away, and 
before its settlement worshipped in a temple not made with 
hands, whose Builder and Maker is God. The intercourse 
between the two precincts was pleasant, and for a while the 
ministers exchanged once a month. For years the salaries 
of the two pastors were equal, and again and again is there a 
receipt on the town book for eighty pounds for each. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

1700-1725. 

Queen Anne's War; Attendant Hardships. — Father Ralle's War; East- 
ern Expedition, List of Sudbury Soldiers. — Ranger Service; Its 
Nature.— Death of Samuel Mossman.— Imperilled Condition of Rut- 
land. — Death of Rev. Joseph Willard by the Indians. — Petition 
for Assistance. — List of Sudbury Soldiers at Rutland. — Captain 
Wright's Letter. — Lieut. William Brintnall ; His Letter.— Province 
Loans. — River Meadow. — Causeway. — Roads. — Miscellaneous. 

Straggling rangers, worn with dangers, 
Homeward faring, weary strangers 

Pass the farm-gate on their way ; 
Tidings of the dead and living, 
Forest march and ambush giving, 
Till the maidens leave their weaving, 

And the lads forget their play. 

Whittier. 

While ecclesiastical matters were in process of adjust- 
ment in Sudbury, and business was being transacted to fur- 
ther the blessed gospel of peace, the community was again 
stirred by the rude sounds of strife. The red hand of war 
was once more outstretched for destruction, and requisitions 
for both material and men were again made on the New 
England towns. The first war of the period was Queen 
Anne's, so called from Anne of Denmark, who had ascended 
the throne of Great Britain. It was waged between England 
and France, and, like that of King William, continued about 
ten years. The province, to an extent, conducted the war by 
campaigns. In 1704, Col. Benjamin Church marched to make 
an attack on Acadia. He commanded a force of about five 
hundred men, and designed also to attack the Indians of the 



295 



296 IirSTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Penobscot and Passamaquody. In 1710 an expedition was 
formed, commanded by General Nicholson, which recovered 
Port Royal. In 1711 a campaign was arranged for the cap- 
ture of Quebec. For these, and other warlike undertakings, 
the resources of the provincial towns were drawn upon ; and 
the taxation, deprivation, and loss attendant on these succes- 
sive drafts became a grievous burden. 

During these years Sudbury had its part to bear. Although, 
being removed from the border it did not suffer attack, it 
had "seasons of suspense. In 1706 it was rumored that a 
large force was coming to New England ; and Chelmsford, 
Groton, and Sudbury were alarmed. The next year the 
enemy approached Groton and Marlboro, but still left Sud- 
bury unmolested. The town is mentioned in a province 
resolve of May, 1704-5, where it is ordered » that such and 
so many of the soldiers enlisted in the military companies 
and troops within the respective towns and districts herein 
after named, shall each of them at [his] own charge be pro- 
vided with a pair of good serviceble snow shoes, mogginsons, 
at or before the tenth of November this present year, which 
they shall keep in good repair and fit for the service;' 
(State Archives, Vol. I., p. 247.) 

The testimony of the town concerning the hardship ot 
the period is given in a protest before quoted, in which the 
people set forth, as a reason why the parish should not be 
divided, "the Vast Expenses which the present wars and 
expeditions attending the same calls and may call for." 

Peace came in 1713, by the treaty made at Utrecht, and 
for a time the land had rest. 

But the cessation of Indian hostilities that followed Queen 
Anne's War and the Peace of Utrecht was not long contin- 
ued. The war-path was soon again to be trod by the savage, 
and his freshly made trail was to be followed by the white 
man to bring back the captives or recover the spoil. The 
cause of the second war of this period was the encroachments 
of the savage tribes in the east. The Indians in the eastern 
part of the province (Maine), instigated, as is supposed, by 
the Governor General of Canada, and by the Jesuits coming 
among them, sought to prevent English inhabitants from a 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 297 

reoccupation of the former settlements. For this object, 
the Cape Sable and Penobscot Indians joined with the tribes 
of the Kennebeck and Saco. 

This savage alliance meant hardship to the frontier whites. 
Predatory bands of the foe lurked in the dark woodlands, 
and parts of the province were again kept on the watch. 
Sudbury was in no instance assailed, but its soldiers did ser- 
vice in other parts. It had men in the eastern expedition, 
which was fitted out in 1724, to operate against the Indians 
on the Kennebeck. Upon this river, at Norridgewock, there 
was an Abenaki village, which had been to the English a 
source of trouble, and it was determined to destroy it. 
When the troops arrived, the place was found in an 
unguarded condition. Ralle, the Jesuit missionary, who 
had been the chief instigator of the Indian atrocities, fell 
dead in the furious affray. The chiefs Mogg and Bomazeen 
also perished, and the tribe was vanquished. Among the 
soldiers in the eastern expedition are the following, who 
were in three different companies : — 

Elijah Willis, Jas. Maynard, 

Isaac Rice, Barth° Stephenson, 

John Gould, Sargent, Joseph Woodward, 

John Barker, Clerk, Nathan Walker. 
Thomas Gates. 

(State Archives, Vol. XCIII., pp. 131-46) 



RANGER SERVICE. 

Sudbury rendered the country service, not only by its sol- 
diers in the conspicuous campaign, but also by its rangers 
in a less ostensible service, made up of such marchings and 
scoutings as helped to harass and hinder the foe. They 
ranged the frontier as a faithful border guard, and stood 
between homestead and savage invaders, who lurked ready 
to swoop down on the defenseless home, and make captive 
or kill the inmates. 

In this service one of the Sudbury men lost his life under 
peculiarly sad and touching circumstances. Says the narra- 
tor: "At evening one of our men viz: Samuel Mossman of 



298 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Sudbury, being about encamping, took hold of his gun that 
stood among some Bushes, drew it towards him with the 
muzzle towards him, some Twigg caught' hold of the Cock, 
the Gun went off and shot him through, he died immedi- 
ately " (Letter of John White to the authorities. State 
Archives, Vol. LXXIL, p. 230.) Thus a lone grave in the 
wilderness was prepared for a soldier of Sudbury. What 
other instances of accident, hardship, and loss may have been 
sustained in service like this, there are none now to relate ; 
but the very nature of this border warfare is suggestive of 
hardship, of hair-breadth escapes, of exposure to wilderness 
perils, to rough weather and the tricks of a wary foe. 

One place in which Sudbury soldiers did valuable service 
at this time was Rutland. This town was frontier territory, 
and for thirty years had suffered more or less from savage 
incursions. As has been noticed, it was settled largely by 
people from Sudbury (see Chap. IX.); and naturally the 
town would be interested in their kinsmen or former citi- 



zens 



About the time of which we write, several of the inhabi- 
tants had been killed or captured. Among the former was 
their minister, Rev. Joseph Willard. The circumstances at- 
tending this death were peculiarly sad. Mr. Willard had 
been called to the ministry of the Rutland church, and 
was to have been ordained in the fall. One day in August. 
beino- out with his gun hunting, or to collect fodder for his 
cattfe he was suddenly beset by two Indians. They fired 
upon him, but without effect. He returned the fire, wound- 
ing one of them; the other closed in for a hand-to-hand 
fight when three more Indians came to his assistance, and 
together they gained the mastery, and killed and scalped 

their victim. 

Such was the exposed condition of the early settlers at 
Rutland in this gloomy period. February, 1724-5, they sent 
a petition to Governor Dummer for help, in which they 
stated that -the summer previous they laboured under great 
difficulty & hardship by reason of the war with the Indian 
enemy, and not being able to raise their corn and other pro- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 299 

visions, so that they were obliged to travel near twenty miles 
for the same, and purchase it at a very dear rate, which ren- 
der it very difficult to subsist themselves and their families, 
more especially ye soldiers posted there." They desired that 
more might be added to the five soldiers already allowed 
them. 

This indicates the imperilled condition of the place. Pred- 
atory bands were lurking about it. The woodlands were a 
covert from which the savage might suddenly, sally, and in 
whose dark forest retreat he might safely secure his prey. 
At any time the people might suffer attack. Their harvest, 
their homes, their households, were alike liable to be devas- 
tated and swept away. But strong men were sent to defend 
them, stoat hearts were soon there ; and to a large extent 
these came from the town of Sudbury. Again and again 
were detachments sent from the place. Some of the soldiers 
for this service were under the command of Capt. Samuel 
Willard. In his journal he speaks of mustering at the town 
of Lancaster one day, and moving on to Rutland the next; 
of laying by in foul weather, of marching back and forth 
through the country, and of seeing and following the signs 
of Indians. The service spoken of was from July to August, 
1725. In the course of his narrative he speaks of William 
Brintnall being sick, and of David How being lame, both 
of whom he sent home. (State Archives, Vol. XXXVIII., 
pp. 109, 110.) These two men were soldiers from Sudbury. 
Another commander under whom the Sudbury soldiers served 
was Capt. Samuel Wright. (See p. 170.) On a muster-roll 
of Captain Wright, read in Council, June 17, 1724, are the 
following names of Sudbury men who had served for several 
months : — 

Daniel How, Lieut. Hugh Ditson, 

Corp. Joseph Bennet, W«> Thompson, 

John Norcross, Gentl. Jon* Stanhope, 

Isaac Gibbs, Daniel Bowker. 

Amnill Weeks, servant to Samuel Stevens. 

In another muster-roll, consented to in 1724, are the fol- 
lowing names: Samuel How, Sergt. Joseph Bennet, Corp. 



300 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Hugh Ditson, William Thompson, John Ross, son to James 
Ross, Amnil Weeks, servant to Samuel Stevens. In another 
muster-roll of Captain Wright, examined in 1725, are the 
names of Serg. Daniel How, Mark Voice [Vose], Daniel 
Mackdonald, Richard Burk. Other rolls examined in 1725 
have the names of Daniel Bowker, Abner Cutler, Charles 
Adams, Elias Parmenter, and Pegin, a Natic Indian. (State 
Archives, Vol. XCI.) 

It was in the year 1724 that an occurence took place which 
shows the perils of the times, and the nature of the service 
to which our rangers were called. Says Captain Wright in 
a letter to the Court : — 

These are to inform your Honors that what I feared is come upon us 
for want [of men] to guard us at our work, this day about 12 o'clock five 
men and a boy [were] making hay in the middle of the town. 

A number of Indians surrounded them and shot first at the boy which 
alarmed the men, who ran for their guns, but the Indians shot upon 
them, and kept them from their guns, and shot down three of the men 
and wounded another in the arm, who got home, the fifth got home with- 
out any damage. 

The men that are killed are James Clark, Joseph Wood, Uriah Ward, 
the boy missing is James Clark. 

(State Archives, Vol. LXXII.) 

This matter-of-fact report of Captain Wright is vividly 
suggestive of the nature of that period. The border settle- 
ments knew not when they were safe. There was poor 
encouragement to sow if a foe might destroy the harvest 
or keep the husbandman from its safe ingathering. Yet 
so it was. Spring with its sunshine and showers might 
warm and mellow the soil, the field be well sown, the mid- 
summer ripen the crops, and the time of harvest promise 
gladness and plenty. A noontide stillness rests on the fruit- 
ful fields. The warm, mellow haze of the early autumnal 
day enwraps nature about, and the landscape is tranquil in 
the mild air of a New England Fall. All is quiet, save for 
the motion of the busy harvesters as, moving about amid the 
rustling maize, they cut the stalks or gather the corn. But 
the whole scene may suddenly change ; like the haymakers 
mentioned by Captain Wright, so these harvesters, all uncon- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 301 

scions of what is near, may be startled by the rushing of sav- 
age feet, and, before they can make any defense, be slain or 
carried captive to a far-off place. 

Before the service closed, William Brintnall, whose name 
has been prominent on the muster-lists, was assigned to the 
leadership of the little company who was to guard Rutland, 
going there as lieutenant. The following is a letter written 
by him to the Governor : — 

Rutland, August 19th 1725. 
Honored sr. After my duty to you presented, these are to inform 
your Honors, that by virtue of the Order I received from you to go to 
Rutland in quest of the Indian Enimies, and Scout about the meadow, 
with twelve volunteers, I have accordingly obeyed said orders, by having 
the twelve men, Eight of which are Capt. Willard's men, and Four who 
I Enlisted and came to Rutland with these on friday Last, and have 
Ever since scouted and guarded the meadow, for ye people in their get- 
ting of hay, we have discovered no signs of Indians as yet, but Expect 
them dayly, for Ensign Stephens is arrived with his son from Canada, 
and saith that ye [there] was a company designed for New England, 
when he came from Canada, he intends to be at Boston with your 
Honor on Monday next, all at present. I remain your Honor's Ever 
Devoted Lieut. VV" Brintnall. 

The new men who I enlisted are 

Sam"" Goodenow, Paul Brintnall, 

Benj. Dudley, Jonathan Bent. 

Capt. Willard's men are 

William Brintnall, Joshua Parker, 

Danei How, Jacob Moore, 

Cyprian Wright, James Nutting, 

Deliv« Brooks, Thomas Lamb. 
(State Archives, Vol. LXXIL, p. 258.) 

According to the muster-roll of Sergeant Brintnall, he and 
his company of volunteers served from Aug. 17, 1725. Their 
pay was four shillings per day, the time of service ten weeks 
and two days, and their duty to serve as a guard about Rut- 
land. William Brintnall taught school in Sudbury shortly 
before his enlistment in the above service. On the town 
book is the following record: " Received of the Constable of 
Sudbury, by order of the town Treasurer, all that was Due 
to me for keeping the school in the year 1722: 172o: 1724. 
Signed per William Brintnall Sudbury, Sept. 8, 1~^'>." 



302 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

( )ne of the last prominent military acts of this period was 
the disastrous defeat of John Love well: of D unstable, by the 
Pigwackets, at the present town of Fryeburg, Me. At about 
this date the tribes ceased hostilities. For a time the war- 
path was abandoned, and it was again safe for the defense- 
less traveller to take the forest trail. 

PROVINCE LOANS. 

Ill order to meet the exigencies of the times, in the year 
1721 the General Court issued a loan to the amount of fifty 
thousand pounds. This was to be distributed among- the 
several provincial towns, in what were called bills of credit. 
The distribution was according to the taxes paid by the 
towns, and was to be returned to the public treasury within 
a certain length of time. That Sudbury took her share of 
the loan is indicated by several payments which were suc- 
cessively made and a record of receipts received. Of these 
the following is a specimen : — 

Boston August 2 : 17-20. 
Received of the Trustees of the town of Sudbury by Mr. Daniel 
Haynes, one hundred and one pounds, twelve shillings, being the first 
fifth part of their proportion to the /,"50,000. Loan. 

Per. Allen, Treasurer. 

From time to time other fifths were paid, and receipts ren- 
dered therefor, until Aug. 12, 1730, when the last fifth was 
paid, and a receipt in full was received. The loan of 1721 
was followed by another a few years later to the amount 
of sixty thousand pounds. The order authorizing it was en- 
acted in 1728, and was called "an act for raising and settling 
public revenues for and defraying the necessary charges <>f 
the government by an emission of <£60,000 in bills of credit."' 
(Felt's " Historical Account of Massaehusetts Currency, 
p. 84.) Sudbury had a share in this loan also. 

While the attention of the people in this period was largely 
engrossed with educational, ecclesiastical, and military mat- 
ters, the regular, routine business of the town was not neg- 
lected. Aug. 11, 1702, "it was voted, that the Towne would 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 303 

send a pettione to the general cort concerning our River 
meadows, that are much damnified by reason of many stop- 
pages, that the Generall Cort would ease us of our tax, or 
choose a committee to see if it may be helpt, the pettione to 
be sined in the name of the towne." This vote was carried 
out, and a petition was sent to the Court jointly by Concord 
and Sudbury. In it they state that they had sustained — 

Grate damage by reason of the water lying on sd meadow whereby 
tl. zy are much straitened and incapacited to bear Town and county 
charges, and maintain of their families, and something hath been done 
in order to the Lowering of the water by Removing Rocks and bars of 
sand, and formerly there hath been a committe sent up by the general 
court to view the sd meadow, and they have found the stoppage of water 
may be cleared, but by reason of different apprehensions it hath Layne 
ever since, we therefore humbly pray the Hon* Court that it impower a 
committee to see that the work be done forthwith, that so the present 
opportunity may not be neglected, and to set us a way that those persons 
concerned in sd meadow may beare an equal proportion in sd work. 
The court resolved to appoint a committee of persons in Concord, Sub- 
bury and Billerica fully empowered to order and determine what may be 
necessary for clearing sd meadow. 

In 1710 the town voted to petition the General Court to 
make the long causeway "a county road." Feb. 22, 1714-15, 
it was requested "to see what method the town will take for 
mending and raising the causeway from the Town Bridge to 
Lieut. Daniel Haynes." On June 2, 1720, it was requested 
"to see if the town will raise the causeway from the Gravel 
pit as far as Capt. Haynes'es old place, proportionally to the 
aforesaid Long Causeway when mended." 

Feb. 25, 1714-15, the town ordered that it would choose 
a committee of three men to join with Concord to view the 
obstructions and stopages in the great river. 

In 1723-4 a way was laid out from Lanham to the west 
meeting-house. According to the records, " the latter part 
of said way, bounded as follows, viz. through the ministerial 
land, near the southwesterly corner, and so on, something 
northwesterly. From thence it went, in a straight line, to 
Nathaniel Rice's, and so northerly, to the highway leading 
to Lancaster, near the new meeting house." It is now 
known as the Old Graves Road, so called from a house 



304 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

which stood just south of the Old Lancaster Road, at its 
intersection with this one. 

Dec. 14, 1715, the town voted that "there be a horse 
bridge built on Assabeth river : : : and that the selectmen 
do order that ye bridge be erected and built over assabath 
river between ye land of Timothy Gilson and Thomas Burt's 
land." In 1717-18 the town voted that it would have " a 
New bridge built over Sudbury river where the old bridge 
now stands, at the end of the long Causeway." 

About 1715 a statement is made in relation to three pounds 
for providing " a burying cloth, for ye towns use." 

In 1722 there is reference to two padlocks, — one for the 
pound, another for the stocks, — indicating that the unruly 
were subject to restraint and discipline. 

May 13, 1723, it was voted to choose a committee to pre- 
sent a petition to the General Court "to prevent y e stopage 
of y e fish in Concord and Sudbury river." 



CHAPTER XVII. 

1725-1750. 

Highways. — Bridges. — Schools. — Movement for a New Township; 
Remonstrances. — Petition Relating to the River Meadows. — Sale 
of Peter Noyes's Donation of the Hop Brook Mill. — Gratuities to 
the Ministers. — -Miscellaneous Matters. 

The years with change advance. 

Tennyson. 

The period upon which we now enter was an eventful 
one throughout the whole country. Three governors, Bur- 
nett, Belcher, and Shirley, bore rule. Burnett died in 1729, 
Belcher left office in 1740, and Shirley entered upon the 
office in 1741. During the latter part of this period war 
again called to the front the provincial forces, and the 
towns were to hear its stern voice and to feel its rude 
shock. Before, however, the season of strife set in, there 
was a brief season of peace. During this respite the town 
made advancement. The tokens of increasing prosperity 
were manifest in the construction of highways and bridges, 
and the attention given to miscellaneous matters. 

HIGHWAYS. 

Of these improvements we will notice, first, those relating 
to highways. This subject had more prominence than in the 
preceding period, the reasons for which are obvious ; as time 
passed on new clearings were made upon which to locate 
new homes, and new homes perhaps demanded new roads. 
The last period was one of war ; new facilities may have 
been postponed till better times. Furthermore, the forma- 
tion of the west precinct doubtless called for new roads. 
With a meeting-house at Rocky Plain, and a community 
beginning to gather, new paths were to be opened to it. 

305 



306 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

In 1785-6 a way is mentioned as "beginning at Marl- 
borough n»;ul, at Mr. Abraham Woods shop until it comes 
to Lieut. John Haynes." About the same time is the state- 
ment of a change of highway from Whale's Bridge over 
Pine Plain (Wayland), a part of which way is spoken of .in 
connection with Jonathan Grout's land. In 173(5 a new 
highway is spoken of over Pine Brook at John Grout's. 
In 1733 the town accepted of a road "laid out by Samuel 
Dakins to Concord line, and so into the road leading to Stow 
by Mr. Jonathan Browns in sd town." Also at the same 
meeting "a way for the upper end of little Gulf at Mr. 
Samuel Noyes land by David Maynards to Pantry Bridge." 
In 1734 a way was laid out "from Landham to Sudbury part 
of the way to go through the land of John Goodnow and 
part land of Isaac Reed." About 1735-6 a way is spoken of 
"from Landham to the Clay pits on the east side of Paul 
Brintnal's barn." During this period " Zackriah Hurd was 
to make a new way lastly laid out by John Grout's by a 
Jury," "a substantial, passable County Road." In 1742 a 
highway was "accepted for the County road by the town 
bridge to Sedge meadow." The next year Eliab Moore was 
allowed "to set up gates or bars and fence from the highway 
leading from the town bridge to Sedge meadow." Towards 
the end of the period a highway is spoken of " from Honey 
Pot Brook through Jabez Puffer's land." In 1728 the town 
accepted of a highway "from the centre road by the house 
of Joseph Moore by the training field till it come into the 
Concord road." In 1729-30 it was voted "to accept the 
way laid out from Thomas Smiths to the west meeting 
house." This was to go "through Pantry." In 1730 men- 
tion is made of a way from "Non sidge round hill by Peter 
Bent's into town." Also a highway is spoken of from 
Lancaster road -beginning at Mr. Peter Plympton's land 
leading into Gulf neck, by David Parmenters and Uriah 
Wheelers, by the training field, and so into same road at 
Lake end." * A way is also spoken of in 1720, in the east 
precinct of Sudbury. " from Non Such Round hill to the 
meeting house in said Precinct." In this period there is 
mentioned a road "from the New bridge, by Mr. Joseph 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 307 

Stones In sd Towne to the road leading to Framing-ham 
by Mr. Benjamin Stones In sd town." 

As might be expected, when so much attention was paid 
to the highwa) r s, the causeways and bridges were not neg- 
lected. In 1733 two men were to repair the bridge at the 
east side of the causeway, " so as ye said butments may not 
be washed down or be carried away by ye floods as in times 
past." In 1785 new plank was provided "for the Grat bridg 
at the East End of the Long Causewa." About 1743 a sub- 
scription was made for a bridge between the land of "John 
Haynes on the west side the river and John Woodward on 
the east side the river, and Mr. Edward Sherman and John 
Woodward, agreed, if the subscribers would erect the bridge, 
to give a good and conveniant way, two rods wide through 
their land." In 1747 Jonathan Rice rebuilt Lanham Bridge, 
and received for the same five pounds. The next year there 
is a record as follows : " To Matthew Gibbs for Rum & for 
raising Landham Bridge 12 Shillings." In 1726-7 it was 
voted to expend on the "long causeway from the town 
bridge to the gravel pit one hundred pounds." In 1729 the 
town voted to build a new bridge at the east end of the long 
causeway. In connection with this record we have the two 
following of about the same date: that "part of the effects 
of the old meeting house " was to be paid toward the build- 
ing of the bridge over Sudbury River. The other is this 
report of the committee chosen by the town to build a 
bridge at the eastern end of the long causeway: "To David 
Baldwin for frame of Bridge, 37 pounds. To twelve men to 
raise said bridge, who went into ye water 3 pounds." Other 
items were given, among which is this: "For Drink &c. 
5 s l d ." (Date, 1729.) On the town records, dated Nov. 28, 
1730, is the following: " Received of the selectmen of said 
town [Sudbury] four pounds and ten shillings in full dis- 
charge for building a bridge for said town over the brook by 
Mr. Abraham Woods in Sudbury [South Sudbury]. I say 
received per John Goodnow." 

EDUCATION. 
During this period educational advantages were on the 
g-ain. In 1732 a school-house was built on the east side. 



308 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

In 1735 the town voted thirty pounds for the support of 
public schools. The next year the town granted twenty 
pounds for the out-schooling in said town, three parts for 
the west and two for the easl side of the river. In 1733 the 
committee were instructed "not to exceed sixty pounds for 
the schools ye year ensuing. 1 ' In 1734 it voted thirty pounds 
for the grammar school in Sudbury; also voted that their 
representative present a petition to the General Court in 
behalf of the town for a school-farm in some of the unappro- 
priated land. In 1734 it "granted 30 pounds to support 
schools at the school house, and twenty pounds for and 
towards schools in the out parts or quarters of s d town for 
that year.' In 1735-6 Amos Smith asked to have the gram- 
mar school removed into the several out-parts of the town 
"for the futer;" but the town voted in the negative. In 
1740 it was ordered that the grammar school should be kept 
" in the five remote corners of the town, as it hath formerly 
been from the 8 th day of December until ye end of October 
next." In 1747 the town voted that the schools should be 
kept at five places, "at the school house near Nathan Good- 
now's, at that near Israel Mosses, and at or near the house 
of Mr. Elijah Haynes, at or near the house of Dea. James 
Brewer as can conveniantly Bee, and y e school belonging to 
y e farm near Mr. Smiths." Thus former school privileges 
were still kept up, while new opportunities were extended to 
districts more remote. 

MOVEMENT FOR A NEAV TOWNSHIP. 

While the town was thus making perceptible progress, 
and the tokens of wholesome prosperity were appearing here 
and there, an occurrence arose which was thought to be por- 
tentous of undesirable things. This was an attempt, in the 
year 1739-40, by a portion of the Sudbury inhabitants to 
colonize and become a new town. The movement was made 
jointly by parties from Framingham, Sudbury, Marlboro, and 
Stow. A petition was sent by them to the General Court, 
March 14, 1739, in which they ask to be made a "separate 
Township, invested with proper liberties and privileges, and 
as such proposing our centre at a pine tree with a heap of 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 309 

stones round it." The reasons they gave were that "we 
have for a long time been greatly incommoded, and labored 
undere great difficulties as to an attendance on ye means of 
grace, publicldy dispensed, by reason of ye great distance 
from ye place of ye public worship in ye towns to which we 
respectively belong, some of our houses being three, four, 
five and six miles therefrom, and ye roads very difficult espe- 
cially at some seasons of ye year." They further state " we 
apprehend ourselves capable by the blessing of Heaven on 
our lawful endeavor to support ye charges y l may accrue." 
This was signed by forty-three persons. The Court received 
the petition, and by an act of the House of Representatives, 
March 14, 1739, it was ordered that the petitioners "serve 
the towns represented by it with a copy of the petition, that 
they might be present at the next May session, and show 
cause, if they had such, why it should not be granted." 
(State Archives, Vol. XII., p. 137.) 

Sudbury was duly represented at the appointed time. 
The town voted, May, 19, 1740, "that Capt. John Haynes 
& Mr. John Woodward Be a committee full}' impowered in 
the town's behalf To go to the Great & General Court or 
assembly to give our reasons why ye prayer of the Petition 
of Sundry inhabitants of Sudbury, Framingham and Stow 
should not be granted as set forth in the petition." When 
the case was called up by the Court, the delegates in behalf 
of the town presented the protest. In the document that 
contains it they set forth several reasons why the petition of 
David Howe and other inhabitants of Sudbury, Marlboro, 
Framingham, and Stow, dated March 14, 1739, should not 
be granted. They state that " there in an uncertainty " 
about the petition ; that the town does not know what 
damage it is likely to sustain by loss of population or land ; 
that to weaken the town would tend to discourage the min- 
isters, who have several times applied for more salary, which 
would very readily be granted if the ability of the town would 
admit of the same. They refer to the — 

Very great charge that the town hath lately been at in building "J 
meeting houses, 2 school houses, and settling 2 ministers together with 
several great bridges and sundry long and difficult causeways, which 



310 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

with the continual accompanying changes of the said town, make the 
burthen in a great measure insupportable on many of the inhabitants, 
and if any should be taken from said town, it would make the burthen 
still heavier. That the meeting house on the west side of Sudbury river 
was placed by a committee of this Hon. Court, where the Petitioners 
desired it, and that they signed to the place where the meeting house 
now standeth with their own hands, and yet many of the inhabitants on 
the west side of said River, live at a greater distance, from the west 
meeting house than any of the Petitioners. The very great difficulties 
that the town of Sudbury is under by reason of the floods that in the 
summer season often overflow our meadows, and so damage our hay and 
grain, that makes many of the inhabitants of said town so weak, that 
instead of bearing charges in the town apply themselves for relief, all 
which reasons and considerations lay the town of Sudbury under a 
necessity of claiming those privileges granted to them by the Royal 
Charter in the following words, viz. That all and any land, tenements, 
hereditaments, and all other estate, which any person or persons, or bod- 
ies, politic or Corporate Towns, do hold or enjoy or ought to hold and 
enjoy, within the bounds aforesaid, by or under any grant or estate duly 
made' or granted by any General Court formerly held, or by any other 
lawful right oAitle whatever shall be by such Towns their Respective 
Heirs, successors, assigns, forever hereafter held and enjoyed according 
to the Import and patent of such respective grant. 

We therefore pray this Hon. Court to take the Premises into ye wise 
consideration and dismiss the before recited Petition, and so resting we 
Crave leave to subscribe our Selves your Excellency's and Honors most 
humble servants, who as in duty bound shall ever pray. 

-v Committee 
John Havnes ( 

JOHN WOODWARD £ ^^ 

A remonstance to the petition was also sent by the town 
of Framingham, and the request of the petitioners for a new 
township was not granted. 

RIVER MEADOWS. 
July 15, 1742, a petition was presented, signed by Israel 
Loring and about seventy-five others, relating to the river 
meadows. It was directed to His Excellency, William 
Shirley, Esq., Captain General and Governor, and was as 
follows : — 

The petition of us who are the subscribers, who are the major part of 
owners and propriters of the meadows lying upon the river called Con- 
cord and Sudburv River, Humbly showeth, that wheras your petitioners 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 311 

have and do often times suffer very great damages both in our hav as 
well as our grass, by reason of the floods which hath and do very often 
over flow and stand a long time upon our said meadows, and great cause 
whereof as we humbly conceive in the many bars and stoppages which 
are in the river, and sundry of these within the bounds of Concord and 
Sudbury, whereof our humble request is that your Excellency and 
Honors would be pleased to appoint for a relief, as in your great wis- 
dom you shall think best, commissioners of sewers (as the law directs in 
such causes) with full power to act and do for our relief what may be 
thought by them in our case needful and necessary for the removal of 
said bars and stoppages that are in the said river &c, all which is humbly 
submitted, and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. (State 
Archives, Vol. CV., p. 209.) 

There was a further list of sixty-two names given in an 
additional part, dated December, 1742, accompanied by a 
statement that the signers did not have opportunity to sign 
the first petition. 

SALE OP HOP BROOK MILL. 

In 1699 the town chose a committee to receive a donation 
given by Mr. Peter Noyes, late of Sudbury, to the poor of 
the town. This donation consisted of his mill. After the 
town took possession of this property, it was leased for a 
term of years to Mr. Abraham Wood. On the town record 
is the following reason for granting this lease : — 

Wheras the towne taking into consideration the gift that Ensign 
Peter Noyes hath given to ye poore of our towne namely ye mills, com- 
monly called by ye name of ye new mills, with ye lands and privilleges 
belonging to ye same and being sensible that ye letting of it yearly, will 
be a means to bring ye sd mills and housen to decay and in time utter 
ruine, in which will be a great wrong to our poore, and that will not 
answer ye end of ye (Townes) doner, Therefore in respect to both [him] 
and our own good which is involved in ye same, we therefore by a vote, 
grant liberty to them that are concerned as to ye disposal of said gift, to 
dispose of it for years as they shall see cause for ye benefit and in behalf 
of ye poore of ye towne of Sudbury. 

March ye 19 th , 1700. This was passed into an act by ye towne by a 
magger vote. 

In 1728-9 it was voted to sell the mills, and give a deed 
in the name of the town. The heirs of the donor had laid 
claim to a considerable part of his gift ; a lawsuit had com- 



312 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

menced, and the town had voted money to defend the prop- 
erty ; the town, therefore, voted to sell the same for the 
sum of seven hundred pounds. The money was to he put 
on interest for the use of the poor, and to be disposed of by 
the selectmen and ministers. The property was purchased 
by Messrs. Abraham Wood, Sen., and Abraham Wood, Jr. 
The following record was made concerning the sale : " These 
may certify that the subscribers, selectmen of the town of 
Sudbury, have received the bonds or security given by Mr 
Abraham Wood Sen. and Abraham Wood Jim. for seven 
hundred pounds Province Bills, in full of and at the hands 
of Noah Clapp, Uriah Wheeler, and John Hayns. Barin 
date Mar. 13 th 1728 : 9." 

In 1730-1 the town petitioned the General Court "that 
the Great Bridge over Charles river may not be built, but a 
ferry erected instead.'* 

The four records following show the kindness the town 
exercised towards its ministers: In 1733 it voted to give 
Rev. Mr. Cook twenty pounds in money towards making up 
for the loss of his barn, which it is said was agreeable to a 
petition of some inhabitants of Sudbury; it also voted, at 
the same meeting, to give the ministers a gratuity of forty 
pounds each for the year ; in 1734 the town voted that Rev. 
Mr. Minot should have five pounds for preaching three days 
when Mr. Loring was lame ; in 1735 the ministers were to 
have so much as to make their salaries, including the wood, 
a hundred and fifty pounds each of them. 

In 1739 an article was in the warrant " to see if the town 
will grant money to provide more ammunition to the town s 

stock." 

In 1740 the town "voted to procure another meeting house 

bell as good as the one they had." 

In 1741 the following items were inserted in the town 
In, ok: "To D r Roby for medicine administered to Frank. 
ne :n> woman." "Granted ten pounds for cutting and clear- 
in-' the brush growing or standing around the west meeting 
house.*' Granted twenty pounds for the relief of the [poor 
of the] town. "Granted to Joseph Muggins and Joseph 




THE WOODS OR ALLEN HOUSE. 
The oldest house in South Sudbury, and the author's birthplace. 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 313 

Goodnow, to take the care of, and sweep the meeting houses 
in s d town, and take care of the two school houses in s d town, 
at forty shillings apiece, old tenor, End the year ensuing." 
" To Thomas Reed for what he did for Frank, Negro, in 
y e time of her last sickness." 

In 1746-7 "a committee was chosen to show cause to the 
General session why the wife and children of Edward Joyn 
should not be deemed inhabitants of the town." 

In 1747 " an agent or agents were appointed to prosecute 
such person or persons as have Broken the meeting house 
Bell Belonging to said Town, now hanging in the School 
house near the East meeting house, In said town." 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

1725-1750. 

Third French and Indian War. — Sudbury Soldiers at Cape Breton.— 
Fort No. 4, N.H. — Capt. Phineas Stevens. — Sketch of His Life. — 
His Service in Connection with the Building and Defense of the Fort. 
■ — Capt. Josiah Brown. — Engagement with French and Indians about 
the Fort. — Petition of Captain Brown. — Petition of Jonathan Stan- 
hope. — Battle between the Forces of Captain Stevens and General 
Debeline. — Expedition of Captain Hobbs. — Battle between the Com- 
mands of Captain Hobbs and Chief Sackett. — Sketch of Capt. Josiah 
Brown. — List of Captain Brown's Troopers. 

He cometh unto you with a tale which holdeth children from play, and 
old men from the chimney-corner. — Sir Philip Sidney. 

Having considered the records of a short interval of peace 
in this period, we again turn to the annals of war. England 
and France were again to engage in strife. This war has 
had various names. It has been called in America " King 



314 HTSTOBY OF SUDBURY. 

George's War," but in England " The War of the Austrian 
Succession." It has also been called -The Cape Breton 
War," and "The French and Indian War." The latter term 
is appropriate, but might tend to mislead, since other wars 
have occurred with these parties. A suitable term for it may- 
be "The Third French War." 

The Avar was declared in 1744, and continued till the 
peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748. Its principal event was 
the capture of Louisburg, a French stronghold at Cape Bre- 
ton, which had been called, because of its strength, the 
Gibraltar of America. It had been built since the peace 
treaty of Utrecht, at great expense, but after a forty-nine 
davs' siege it fell into the hands of the English. The troops 
for its capture were from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode 
Island, and New Hampshire. The men suffered much before 
the place surrendered, but when the work was at length 
accomplished there was rejoicing throughout the province. 
Sudbury soldiers assisted at the capture of this place. The 
following is a list of some of the men : — 

Samuel Osborne, Silas Balcom, John Underwood, Samuel Balcom, 
John Rice, Reuben Vose, Ruben Moore, John Nixon [at this time of 
Framingham, afterwards of Sudbury], Lieut Estabrook, Lieut. Augustus 
Moore, Abijah Walker, Micah Parmenter, Jas. Balcom, Eben Mossman, 
James Balcom. 

Besides service in connection with this prominent event in 
the war, there was another service with which Sudbury sol- 
diers were connected, which, though less prominent than the 
one just mentioned, was of vast importance to the country. 
This was the work of a border guard, or manning the fron- 
tier forts. As in other contests between England and France, 
when hostilities broke out in America there was a wild border 
conflict with a mixed savage and civilized foe. Tribes not 
friendly to the English, nor bound to them by treaty alle- 
giance, hastened to aid their old allies, the French, in Can- 
ada, and strewed their pathway thither with sad marks of 
their mission and of their impatience to begin the strife. 

A confederation thus formed by the Indians and French 
meant terror to the English frontier. Predatory bands of 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 315 

savages again took the trail. The woodlands again resounded 
with their rude shouts; and the sunny hillsides and fair inter- 
vales by the northern New England streams were again trod 
and retrod by the Indian in his sly search for human prey. 

To protect these defenseless places, and form a rendezvous 
into which the people could flee, and at the same time fur- 
nish quarters for such a military guard as might be sent to 
intercept the foe, was of very great importance. To accom- 
plish these objects there was erected by the province and the 
towns a cordon of block-houses and forts. Several of these 
were situated in the vicinity of the Connecticut River, of 
which the most northerly was called No. 4, and was at what 
is now Charlestown, N.H. This fortification was notable for 
the frequent attack and repulse of the enemy. It was in the 
direct track of the French and Indians as they swept down 
from Canada, by way of Lake Champlain and Montreal, on 
their way to the frontier towns of Massachusetts. To take 
this fort was considered of great importance by the enemy, 
who hovered about it as a coveted prize ; and it was of equal 
importance to the English to retain it. 

In the holding of this wilderness fortress, and in military 
operations in the vicinity, Sudbury soldiers had a prominent 
share. The commander of the fort was Phineas Stevens, 
a native of Sudbury ; he was a noted Indian fighter, and 
an ambassador to Canada to negotiate for the ransom of 
prisoners. 

CAPT. PHINEAS STEVENS. 

Mr. Stevens was born Feb. 20, 1706 (see Chap. IX.), and 
went to Rutland with his father, Dea. Joseph Stevens, about 
1719. Aug. 14, 1723, he was taken captive by the Indians, 
and carried to Canada. He was afterwards redeemed, and 
taken home. In 1734 he married his cousin, Elizabeth 
Stevens, of Petersham, Mass. He lived for a time at Rut- 
land, and moved from there to Charlestown, N.H. He was 
a prominent citizen of that place, in both civil and military 
matters, in its early history. His name was on the proprie- 
tors' book about 1743 as a petitioner for a proprietors' meet- 
ing ; and the same year he was on a committee for providing 



316 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

a "learned and orthodox minister to preach the Gospel." 
The same year he received a commission as lieutenant of 
militia from Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire. In 
1744 he was commissioned by Governor Shirley of Massachu- 
setts as lieutenant of volunteers for the defense of the fron- 
tier. The next year he was appointed by the same authority 
as captain for service against the French and Indians. 

Captain Stevens was repeatedly commissioned to go to 
Canada to negotiate for the deliverance of prisoners. In 
1752 he negotiated for the deliverance of John Stark of 
New Hampshire, who was afterwards General Stark who 
commanded the continental forces at the battle of Benning- 
ton: The ransom of Stark was an Indian pony, valued at 
one hundred and three dollars. This amount was paid back 
by Stark in money, which he earned as a hunter on the 
Androscoggin, Maine. 

Since to narrate all the services of Captain Stevens at 
No. 4 and elsewhere in this war would take considerable 
space, we will only present a few facts which may set forth 
something of his military history and the arduous nature of 
his work. A settlement was begun at No. 4 about 1740, and 
shortly afterwards Mr. Stevens went there and became one 
of the three proprietors who settled the place. At that time 
No. 4 was the most advanced post of English civilization in 
the northwest. It was surrounded by dense forests, and 
much exposed to the French and Indians in their incursions 
from the north. The foe to which the people were exposed 
was exceedingly fierce and cruel. Such a combination of 
bad qualities as was manifested by the enemy that came 
from Canada was seldom seen. 

FORT NO. 4. 

About three years after the settlement began, the prospect 
of war was so great that the proprietors of No. 4 held a meet- 
ing and decided to erect a fort, and made an assessment to 
meet the expense. Lieutenant Stevens was one of the asses- 
sors to apportion the sum of three hundred pounds towards 
the work. He was also one of a committee appointed to 
keep the fort in repair, and " to take care that no person 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 317 

come to dwell in any of the houses within the fort but such 
as they the said committee shall approve." The fort was 
built under the direction of Col John Stoddard of Northamp- 
ton, Mass., who had formerly superintended the building of 
the block-house at Fort Dummer in central Massachusetts. 
The fort contained about three-quarters of an acre, was built 
in the form of a square, and had about one hundred and 
eighty feet on a side. The walls were made of squared 
timbers, and put together after the manner of a log-house. 
Inside the enclosure were houses, which were owned by pri- 
vate parties previously to their enclosure in the fort, but 
were bought up and afterwards called province houses. 
One of these belonged to Lieutenant Stevens, for which 
he received thirty-five pounds. These houses were placed 
against the walls of the fort, and so arranged that they could 
at once be put in a state of defense if the enemy got inside 
the fort. On the north side the fort had a stockade of tim- 
bers about a foot in diameter, which were placed end-wise in 
the ground, and were about twelve feet high. 

New Hampshire having but little interest in defending a 
place so far from their other settlements, and Massachusetts 
feeling under no obligations to protect them, because out- 
side her limits, the little company provided its own means of 
defense. The assistance subsequently rendered by Massa- 
chusetts was on account of the protection afforded by this 
fort to her settlements on the south. , 

The fort was scarcely finished when war was declared by 
England against France and Spain. A few soldiers were 
stationed to defend the little stronghold, and Capt. Phineas 
Stevens was placed in command. In the early part of the 
war the fort was unmolested ; but April 19, 1746, about 
forty French and Indians came into the vicinity, and did 
disastrous work. Several men were captured, and a saw 
and grist mill was burned. May 2d another raid was made, 
and one man was killed. On May 24th, Capt. Daniel Paine 
of Dudley, Mass., was sent to assist in defending the place. 
Shortly after his arrival, some of his men ventured out to see 
the place where the man had been killed a few days before, 
when they were suddenly assailed by the savages, who killed 



318 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

five of them and captured one. Captain Stevens with a few- 
men rushed to the rescue. He engaged the savages, and 
forced them to retire, as it is supposed, with the loss of sev- 
eral men. At about this time Captain Stevens was rein- 
forced by a troop of horse from Sudbury, under command of 
Capt. Josiah Brown. 

SERVICES OF CAPTAIN BROWN'S COMPANY. 

On the 17th of June, shortly after their arrival, this com- 
pany was called into action, and had a severe engagement 
with the enemy in a meadow not far from the fort. The 
following is an account of the affair published July 1, 1746 : 

We hear that on Thursday, the 19 th . ult., at a plantation called No. 4, 
Capt. Stevens, of the garrison there, and Capt. Brown, of Sudbury, with 
about fifty men, went out into the woods to look for horses and, coming 
near a causeway there were obliged to pass, their dogs being on the hunt 
before them, and barking very much, they suspected some Indians were 
near; whereupon, keeping a good lookout, they discovered a great num- 
ber of them, supposed to be a hundred and fifty, lying in ambush, wait- 
ing for them on the other side; so that if they had passed over, in all 
probability, most of them might be cut off. 

The Indians on finding themselves discovered, suddenly started up, 
and a smart engagement immediately ensued, in which, it is supposed, 
that the English fired first and engaged them so closely and briskly that 
they soon drew off, and being followed by our men retreated into a 
large swamp; whereupon the English returned to the garrison, not car- 
ing to venture, after such numbers, into so hazardous a place. (Farmer 
& Moore, Vol. III., p. 294.) 

Captain Brown, in a petition to the General Court in 
behalf of himself and his troops, states as follows concern- 
ing this battle : — 

That whereas on the 19th day of June 1756 in his Magestie's service, 
at a place called No. 4, on the western frontier, the said Josiah Brown 
with his troop had a very warm and dangerous engagement with a num- 
erous party of the Indian enemy, together with painful travel, and with 
other hardships and difficulties attending. In which engagement by 
good evidence and the most certain accounts we can get a considerable 
number of said enimies were slain and others sore wounded. [The pur- 
port of the petition was that the Court might afford them such " encour- 
agement" as it thought best.] 

By order of said troop, at their meeting on the 25 th Dec. 17."",D. 

(State Archives, Vol. LXXIII., p. 733.) Josiah Brown. 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 319 

Captains Stevens and Brown had no men killed outright 
in this engagement, but Jedediah Winchell was mortally 
wounded and shortly afterwards died. Jonathan Stanhope, 
David Parker, and Noah Eaton were wounded. Stanhope 
was from Sudbury, and Eaton from Framingham. Mr. Stan- 
hope subsequently presented two petitions to the General 
Court, one of which is as follows : — 

In the battle with the Indians at No. 4, June 19, when I was a Trooper 
in his majesty's service, I received a shot which broke my arm all to 
pieces, and caused me great pain, and cost for the injuries, and has inca- 
pacitated me from obtaining a subsistance for myself, and I have very 
little hopes of ever having the use of it again. The account of the time 
I have lost and expenses which I have been exposed to since I was 
wounded is as follows : 

To sixteen weeks at said No. 4, when I lay confined with my 
wound to the first months when I had Province billeting at 
6-3 per week besides said billeting £1. 5. 

To 12 weeks more when I found myself altogether and had 

no Province pay nor billeting at 12-6 pr wk. . . 7. 10. 

And to my son's attending on me then and finding himself 
from the 23 d of June to the 17 th of October following, being 
16 weeks and 3 days : to my son's nursing and attending 
me the said 16 weeks, at 5 per week 4. 2. 6 

And to 9 weeks board when he had neither Province pay nor 

billeting at 7-6 per week 3. 7. 6 



.£16. 5. 

At the close of military operations, in 1746, Massachusetts 
withdrew most of her soldiers stationed in the vicinity of the 
Connecticut River in New Hampshire. The chief, reasons 
for this were that the place was outside her own limits, and 
that New Hampshire refused to co-operate in defending it. 
No. 4 being deprived of troops, it was for a time abandoned. 
The people in the vicinity were obliged to leave their home- 
steads, and take refuge in the older settlements. During 
the winter that followed the evacuation of No, 4, the enemy 
did not venture far from their quarters in Canada. Mean- 
while an effort was made to again man the deserted forts. A 
prominent person in the furtherance of this project, it is sup- 
posed, was Captain Stevens. He communicated with Gov- 
ernor Shirley, and stated that a force of one hundred men 



320 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

should be sent to several of the frontier posts to " go and 
waylay the streams the enemy come upon when they issue 
out from Crown Point." The authorities did not grant the 
request by allowing all the men that were asked for, but 
only so many as it was thought would repel an attack made 
on the forts. The matter of taking measures for such agress- 
ive work as was proposed by Stevens was deferred. 

ATTACK OF GENERAL DEBELINE. 

In March, 1747, Captain Stevens was ordered to go with 
thirty men and take possession of No. 4. He arrived there 
on the 27th. A few days later the place was furiously 
assailed by the French and Indians, under the leadership 
of General Debeline. Captain Stevens, in his report made 
to Governor Shirley, dated April 9, 1747, gives the following- 
account of the attack : — 

Our dogs being very much disturbed, which gave us reason to think 
that the enemy were about, occasioned us not to open the gate at the 
usual time ; but one of our men, being desirous to know the certainty, 
ventured out privately to set on the dogs, about nine o'clock in the 
morning; and went about twenty rods from the fort firing off his gun and 
saying, Choboy to the dogs. Whereupon, the enemy, being within a few 
rods, immediately arose from behind a log and fired : but through the 
goodness of God, the man got into the fort with only a slight wound. 
The enemy being then discovered, immediately arose from their ambush- 
ments and attacked us on all sides. The wind being very high, and 
everything exceedingly dry, they set fire to all the old fences, and also to 
a log-house about forty rods distant from the fort to the windward : so 
that within a few minutes we were entirely surrounded with fire — all 
which was performed with the most hideous shouting and firing, from 
all quarters, which they continued, in a very terrible manner, until the 
next day at ten o'clock at night, without intermission ; during which time 
we had no opportunity to eat or sleep. But notwithstanding all their 
shoutings and threatenings, our men seemed not to be in the least 
daunted, but fought with great resolution ; which, doubtless, gave the 
enemy reason to think we had determined to stand it out to the last 
degree. The enemy had provided themselves with a sort of fortifica- 
tion, which they had determined to push before them and bring fuel to 
the side of the fort, in order to burn it down. But instead of performing 
what they threatened, and seemed to be immediately going to undertake, 
they called to us and desired a cessation of arms until sunrise the next 
morning, which was granted: at which time they would come to a par- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 321 

ley. Accordingly the French General Debeline came with about sixty 
of his men, with a flag of truce, and stuck it down within about twenty 
rods of the fort in plain sight of the same, and said if we would send 
three men to him he would send as many to us, to which we complied. 
The General sent in a French Lieutenant with a French soldier and an 
Indian. 

Upon our men going to the Monsieur, he made the following pro- 
posals, viz. — that in case we would immediately resign up the fort, we 
should all have our lives and liberty to put on all the clothes we had, 
and also to take a sufficient quantity of provisions to carry us to Mon- 
trtal, and bind up our provisions and blankets, lay down our arms and 
march out of the fort. 

Upon, our men returning, he desired that the Captain of the fort 
would meet him half-way, and give an answer to the above proposal, 
which I did, and upon meeting the Monsieur, he did not wait for me to 
give an answer, but went on in the following manner, viz. — that what 
had been promised he was ready to perform, but upon refusal he would 
immediately set the fort on fire, and run over the top, for he had seven 
hundred men with him, and if we made any further resistance, or should 
happen to kill one Indian, we might expect all to be put to the sword. 
" The fort," said he, " I am resolved to have or die. Now do what you 
please, for I am as easy to have you fight as to give up." I told the 
General, that in case of extremity his proposal would do; but inasmuch 
as I was sent here by my master, the Captain General, to defend this 
fort, it would not be consistent with my order to give it up unless I was 
better satisfied that he was able to perform what he had threatened ; 
and furthermore I told him that it was poor encouragement to resign 
into the hands of the enemy, that upon one of their number being killed, 
they would put all to the sword, when it was probable that we had killed 
some of them already. "Well," said he, "go into the fort, and see 
whether your men dare to fight any more or not, and give me an answer 
quick, for my men want to be fighting." Whereupon I came into the 
fort and called all the men together, and informed them what the French 
General said, and then put it to vote which they chose, either to fight on 
or resign; and they voted to a man to stand it out as long as they had 
life. Upon this, I returned the answer that we were determined to fight 
it out. Upon which they gave a shout, and then fired, and so continued 
fighting and shouting until daylight the next morning. 

About noon they called to us and said " Good morning," and desired 
a cessation of arms for two hours that they might come to a parley ; 
which was granted. The General did not come himself, but sent two 
Indians, who came within about eight rods of the fort and stuck down 
their flag and desired that I would send out two men to them, which I 
did, and the Indians made the following proposal, viz. — That in case we 
would sell them provisions, they would leave and not fight anymore; 
and desired my answer, which was, that selling them provisions for 



322 HISTORY OF STJDBTJBY. 

money was contrary to the laws of nations, but if they would send in a 
captive for every five bushels of corn, I would supply them. Upon the 
Indians returning- the General this answer, four or five guns were fired 
against the fort, and they withdrew, as we supposed, for we heard no 
more of them. 

In all this time we had scarce opportunity to eat or sleep. The cessa- 
tion of arms gave us no matter of rest, for we suspected they did it to 
obtain an advantage against us. I believe men were never known to 
hold out with better resolution, for they did not seem to sit or lie still 
for one moment. There were but thirty men in the fort, and although 
we had some thousands of guns fired at us, there were but two men 
slightly wounded, viz. John Brown and Joseph Ely. (Saundcrson's 
■•History of Charlestown, N.H.") 

In the course of the year 1747 the people living- near the 
Connecticut River suffered much from the enemy's incur- 
sions. As they could obtain little or no aid from New 
Hampshire, they again applied to Massachusetts. In Feb- 
ruary, 174S. the authorities allowed one hundred men each 
for Forts Massachusetts and No. 4; and directed that orders 
be issued to the commanding officers in those garrisons that 
a suitable number of men should be employed, until the 
following October, to intercept the French and Indians in 
their march to the frontier. At the same time a bounty was 
offered of a hundred pounds for an Indian scalp. Captain 
Stevens was again appointed to command at No. 4, and Capt. 
Humphrey Hobbs, another brave officer, was made second in 
command. 

Shortly after Captain Stevens assumed command of No. 4, 
on March 15th, a party of Indians attacked some men near 
the fort who were out to gather wood. Captain Stevens sal- 
lied forth to the rescue, but no general engagement occurred, 
as the enemy, which consisted of only a small company, leit 
the place, after killing, in their first onset, one person and 
wounding another and taking captive a third. As the spring 
advanced Captain Stevens ami his men were engaged more 
or less in marchings and scoutings in the vicinity o( No. 4, 
and from there to Fort Pummer in the central part of Massa- 
chusetts. June -I forty men, under command of Captain 
Hobbs, started on a scouting expedition, designing to march 
through the wilderness to Fort Shirley, in Heath, Mass. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY 323 

After being out two days, they had an engagement with 
the Indians, which, it is said, lasted four hours, and in 
which one of the Sudbury soldiers was wounded. The fol- 
lowing account of the battle is from Saunderson's "History 
of Charlestown, N.H." 

BATTLE BETWEEN CAPTAIN HOBBS AND CHIEF SACKETT. 

Capt. Hobbs started out from No. 4, on the 24th of June. During the 
first two days of his march, he met with no interruptions, except such as 
were occasioned by the natural difficulties of the way. On the 26th, it 
being Sunday, after travelling a little distance, he halted at a place about 
twelve miles north-west of Fort Dummer, in the precincts of what is now 
the town of Marlborough, to afford his company an opportunity to 
refresh themselves ; and though he did not dream that he was pursued, 
or that the enemy was any where near, he still posted a guard on his 
trail, like a true officer, as carefully and circumspectly as if danger had 
been apprehended. The party then took possession of a low piece of 
ground, covered with alders intermingled with large trees, through which 
fbwed a rivulet, and without any anticipat'on of being disturbed, had 
begun regaling themselves at their packs. 

But, as was too frequently the case in those times, danger was nigh, 
though they had no apprehension of it ; for a large body of Indians had 
discoverd their trail, and made a rapid march for the purpose of cutting 
them off. Sackett, their chief, (reputed to be a half-blood,) was not only 
a courageous and resolute fellow, but was distinguished "for a sagacity 
that rendered him no common antagonist. 

Apparently certain of victory, on account of his numbers, which fore- 
stalled the necessity of a wily approach, he dashed down upon the trail 
of Hobbs, driving in the guards which he had posted in his rear, and 
instantly commenced an attack upon his main force with all the yells 
and demonstrations of a savage warfare. 

Hobbs, though taken by surprise, was not in the least deprived of his 
self possession. 

An old Indian fighter as he was, whose men were under a perfect 
discipline, it took but a moment to form them for action, and but a mo- 
ment more elapsed before each, by fie advice of his commander, had 
selected the cover of a large tree, and stood ready to repel any assault 
of their oncoming foe. Confident of success, on account of the superi- 
ority of their numbers, which were more than four to one, to the force 
under Hobbs, the enemy without seeking cover, rushed forward with 
terrible shouts, as if they had determined at the outset to bear down all 
resistance ; but being met by a well directed fire, by which several of 
their number were killed, their impetuosity received such a check as to 
cause them to retreat for shelter behind the trees and brush. 

The conflict which then followed between the parties, in which the 



324 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

sharp-shooters bore a prominent part, was of the most exciting nature. 
The two commanders had been known to each other in times of peace, 
and were both distinguished for their intrepidity. 

Sackett, who could speak English, frequently called upon Hobbs, in 
tones that made the forest ring, to surrender; and with threats in case 
of refusal that he would annihilate his force with the tomahawk. 

Hobbs, with a voice equally loud and defiant, challenged him to come 
on and put his menace, if he dared, into execution. The action contin- 
ued for four hours, Hobbs and his force displaying throughout the most 
consummate skill and prudence, and neither side withdrawing an inch 
from its original position. The Indians, during the fight, not unfre- 
quently approached the line of their adversaries, but were as often driven 
back to their cover; the fire of the sharp-sighted marksmin opposed to 
them being more than they could endure. Thus the conflict continued, 
till, finding that his own men had suffered severely in the struggle, and 
that the resistance of Hobbs and his men was not likely to be overcome, 
Sackett retired and left them the masters of a well fought field. 

The company of Capt. Hobbs was so well protected that only three, 
Ebenezar Mitchell, Eli Scott, and Samuel Gunn, were killed. The 
wounded were Daniel McHenney of Wrentham, who had his thigh 
broken by a ball, by which he was disabled for life ; Samuel Graves, Jr., 
of Sunderland, a brave lad of seventeen years of age, who was shot 
through the brain in a horrible manner, yet recovered, but not so as to 
be afterwards capable of business ; — also slight wounds were received 
by Nathan Walker of Sudbury, and Ralph Rice. Many of the enemy 
were seen to fall, especially when they left their cover and advanced. 
Yet, though their loss was undoubtedly great, so effectually was it con- 
cealed that its extent was never ascertained. After the retirement and 
disappearance of the Indians, Captain Hobbs and his men remained 
concealed till night, apprehending another attack; but, as the darkness 
fell around them, discovering no signs of the enemy, they gathered up 
their packs, and took their dead and wounded, and after burying the 
former under some logs, about half a mile from the scene of action, and 
conducting the latter to a more conveniant place, about two miles dis- 
tant, they encamped for the night. They arrived at Fort Dummer the 
next day, which was the 27th, at four o'clock in the afternoon, whence 
they sent their wounded to Northfield where they could receive the 
needed medical aid. 

Nathan Walker recovered and arrived safely home. He 
afterward petitioned the General Court for assistance. In 
the petition he states that he was a soldier in the Province 
service under the command of Capt. Hobbs, and that on 
June 26th, 1748, in a fight with the Indian and French 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 325 

enemy, he was wounded in the arm. (State Archives, Vol. 
LXXIII., p. 620.) 

Capt. Josiah Brown, the commander of the troop which 
went from Sudbury to assist in the defense of Fort No. 4, was 
a brave soldier and worthy man. The following is a brief 
sketch of his life, together with two lists of men who be- 
longed to his troop before the war began and also towards 
its close. As some of the names are in both lists, perhaps 
they served through the intervening years, and were present 
at the defense of No. 4. The troop of 1747-8 was called 
into service that year, September 23, and served a short time. 

CAPT. JOSIAH BROWN. 
Mr. Brown was a prominent citizen of Sudbury. He 
passed through all, or nearly all, the grades of town office ; 
and his name is also conspicuous in the annals of the church. 
In 1757, Josiah Brown, Samuel Dakin, and Jabez Puffer 
were chosen delegates to assist in settling the difficulty be- 
tween the church in Leominster and their pastor. The first 
two were brave captains in the war against the French and 
Indians; the first was prominent at Fort No. 4, the other 
was killed near Fort Edward in 17c8. (See period 1750- 
1775.) As a token of his regard for the West Side Church, 
Mr. Brown gave it a piece of land, the proceeds of which, 
it is stated, were sufficient for the supply of the elements for 
communion. He was one of the signers of the church cove- 
nant in 1724-5. 

Sudbury June 4 th 1739 

A list of the Gen u men of the Horse under the command of Capt. 
Josiah Brown 

Trum: Jonathan Belcher, Nathaniel Seaver 

Cor. Josiah willas [willis] Cor. Daniel Winch 

Cor. Daniel Gregory, Bezebeal Frost 

Cor. Edward Moore Benja Whitten 

Benony Prat Cornelus Wood 

David How David Stone 

Danil Goodenow Eliph a wheler 

David Maynard Jr. Ebenezer Puffer. 

Elijah Bent Elijah Smith 

Ebenezer Heminway Edmond Parmenter 

Ecobad Heminway Hezekiah Moore 



326 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



Ephriam Puffer 
Hopestill Browne 
John Cheney 
John Heminway 
Jabez Mead 
John Maynard Jr. 
Nathan Loring 
Robert Seaver 
Sam 1 Brigham 
Timothy Sternes 
John Bent 
[Isaac] Reed 
Thomas Winch Jr. 



James Crage 
Joseph Parmenter 
Nathaniel Rice 
Phinehas Gibbs. 
Sam 1 Heminway 
Sam 1 Browne 
Jabez Puffer 
Jonathan Maynard 
Jonathan Puffer 
Philis Part 
Sam 1 Stone 
Solomon Parmenter Jr. 



Muster roll of Brown's company 1747-S. 



Josiah Brown Capt 
John Noyes C>rnet 
Dai 1 Stone Clerk 
Jon a Belcher Trumpeter 
Nathaniel Seaver 
Phinehas Gibbs 
Sam 1 Brown 
Jonathan Maynard 
Isaac Reed 
Joseph Reed 
W m Brown 
Dan 1 Stone 
John Bruce 

Parmenter 

John Gould 

Other names are 

Thomas Winch 
Dan 1 Gregory 
James Peterson 
Thomas Biglo 
Thomas Winch 
Samuel Winch 
Josiah Hoar. 



Micah Gibbs 
Joseph Brintnall 
John Brigham 
W m Hunt 
Matthew Gibbs 
Henry Smith 
David Maynard 
Samuel Maynard 
Isaac Brewer 
Obediah Moore 
Nathan Walker 
Joseph Greene 
Isaac Brintnall 
Henry Loker 



Sam 1 Giles 
Beng Eaton 
Sam 1 Frost 
Elias Whitney 
George Whitney 
Sam 1 Whitney 



CHAPTER XIX. 

1750-1775. 

The Work- House. — Regulations of it. — Pest- House at Nobscot. -- 
Graves of Small-Pox Victims. — Pest-Houses on the East Side. — 
Graves of Victims. — Inoculation for the Disease. — Statistics Relat- 
ing to It. — Highway Work. — Lottery for Repairing the Causeway. — 
Schools. — School-Houses. — Fourth French and Indian War. — 
Causes of It. — Lists of Sudbury Soldiers in Various Campaigns. — 
First and Second Foot Companies. — Alarm List. — Troops of Horse. 
— Battle at Half- Way Brook. — Death of Captain Dakin. — Sketch 
of his Life. — Covenant. — Correspondence. — French Neutrals. — 
Death of Rev. William Cook. — Settlement of Rev. Josiah Bridge. 
Death of Rev. Israel Loring. — Sketch of His Life. — Settlement of 
Rev. Jacob Bigelow. — Division of West Part into Wards. — Powder 
House. — Noon Houses. — Pound. — Measures to Suppress Swindling. 

Over the roofs of the pioneers 

Gathers the moss of a hundred years ; 

On man and his works has passed ihe change 

Which needs must be in a century's" range. 

Whittier. 

Between 1750, and 1775, the country was in an unsettled 
condition. Events of a stirring character transpired, and the 
times were productive of lasting influences. Peace prevailed 
when the period began, but was very short-lived. The treaty 
of Aix-la-Chapelle, made in 1748, was of little avail to hold 
England and France in friendly relations. After the lapse 
of about a half-dozen years, war was again declared, and hos- 
tilities in America broke out anew. The close of the period 
also was stormy. It was just before the Revolutionary War. 
The provinces were in process of preparation for that far- 
famed struggle from which they were to emerge a new 
nation. Before, however, entering upon military matters, 
we will notice some of the civil events of the period. 

327 



g28 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

THE WORK-HOUSE. 

In 1753, a movement was made to establish a work -house 
in Sudbury. At the above-named date a vote was taken, 
when "it passed very fully in the affirmative, that it [the 
town] would provide a Work House in sd town, that Idle 
& Disorderly People may be properly Employed." Ephraim 
Curtis, Joseph Brown, and Ebenezer Roby were a committee 
in the matter. In process of time the project thus begun 
was accomplished. March IT, 1762, the town decided "to 
hire some suitable house for a Work House that the Idle 
Persons in sd Town might be kept to Labor." Pursuant to 
vote, a building was rented of Isaac Reed, for which he was 
to receive two pounds eight shillings. In 1765, the town 
" voted to give Mr. Reed two pounds eight shillings for his 
house (and garden spot) & his putting s* house in good 
Tenantable Repair." In 1763, the town chose "overseers 
of the poor for sd house," and Mr. Isaac Reed was of this 
board. 

WORK-HOUSE REGULATIONS. 

At a quarterly meeting of all the Overseers of the Poore in Sudbury 
at the work house in said Sudbury on the first Tuesday of the month 
April Anno Domini 1763, in order to inspect the management thereof 
and for ordering the Affairs of the said House when we the said over- 
seers were Duely and lawfully meet together at the said work house, and 
after Due and mature consideration, we Came into the Folowing need- 
full Rulls and orders for the Regulation of the said house, and those 
Idle Persons that are by Law or may fall under our Inspection. 

Which Rules & orders are as followeth. l 8, ly That every one of the 
overseers Shall Punctually meet at the Said work house, at the times set 
for their monthly or Intermediate Meetings, and in Case of their not 
attending or unseasonably attending, Shall forfitt and pay to the s over- 
seers and for their use, the Sum of Two Shillings Lawfull money, and in 
Case he or they Shall neglect or Refuse to pay the Same or to Shew any 
Reasonable Excuse for his neglect, the Same Shall be Recovered from 
him or them by their Clark by Distress and Sale of his or their Goods 
the Clark observing the Same Rulls that Constables are by law obleged 
to Do in making Distress for their Rates. 

That when any Parson whome we Shall Judge Doath Fall 
under our Immediate care and Inspection Shall be by a Summon under 
the hand of our moderator or Clark Duly Sent to him Setting forth the 
time for his appearance before us at the said work house, and Shall not 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 329 

Punctually apeare before us the said Overseers, at the said work house, 
that then and in that Case, a warrant under the hand and Seal of our 
said Clark Shall Isue out Dyrected to the master of the said work house 
or to the Constable of the s d Towne of Sudbury forth with Requiring 
them to apprehend the body of the s d Contemptous Parson and Cause 
him or her to appear before us, the s d overseers, at the said work house, 
that he or she may be Proceeded with or Punished for his or her Con- 
tempt, by being publickly whipped at the whipping post at the work 
house not Exceeding Ten Stripes or otherways as the Said Overseers 
Shall then order, and* be Subject to pay to the officer that Shall have 
served the s d warrant his fees by Law allowed him, the Service of which 
Summons Shall be found by Giving him or her Summon in form afore- 
said or Leaving same at his or her Last or usual place of abode, by any 
Constable of s d Sudbury or any one of the Overseers who Shall make 
Return of ye s d Summons to the s d Overseers at the time therein ordered. 

As evidence of farther modes of discipline employed in 
this period, we find that, in 1760, the town allowed payment 
to Colonel Noyes for making stocks, and also for four staves 
for the tything-men. In the warrant for a town-meeting in 
1757, is the following article: "To see what the town will do 
with regard to Dido a Negro woman who is now upon charge 
in this town." With regard to this Dido the town ordered 
the selectmen "to make strict inquiries who brought Dido 
into town." 

SMALL-POX HOSPITALS. 

Another institution introduced into the town in this period 
was the pest-house. There is in the Stearns' " Collection " 
a document, without date, that is presumably a petition to 
the selectmen, asking that a town-meeting be called — 

As soon as may be by Law, for the Purchase of and Erecting a House 
or houses for the conveniance of taking the Small Pox by Inoculation, 
for the better Security of the Good Citizens of s d town, [to] do or act as 
the Town shall Judge proper when met. 

As in duty Bound 

Jno. Goodenow Jonathan Bent, 

Luther Richardson, Jotham Goodenow, 

Elisha Goodenow, Israel How, 

Elisha Moore, Caleb Wheeler. 
Silas Goodenow, 
Joel Goodenow. 



330 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Probably the above petition antedates the record given 
below, dated "Oct. 14, 17G1 : Town Dr. To Mr. Isaac Reed 
for sledding wood and assisting to repair a House, for those 
who may have the small pox." Tradition points to several 
localities, which at that time were within the town limits, 
where pest-houses were situated. The site of one of these 
is at Nobscot Hill. On the eastern side of the hill, on land 
owned by Mr. Hubbard Brown, and a short distance from a 
small pond, are the graves of the small-pox victims. They 
are clustered together, beneath a small growth of pines that 
are now scattered over that briar-grown spot ; and the wind, 
as it sweeps through the branches of this little pine grove, 
and the occasional note of the wild-wood bird, alone break 
the stillness and disturb the loneliness of that forest burial- 
place. On a stone that marks one grave is the following 
inscription : — 

IN MEMORY 

OF 

MR BUCKLEY HOW, 

SON OF 

MR BUCKLEY HOW 

OF 

HUBARDSTON 

WHO DIED OF THE SMALL POX, 

NOV. 14* 1792 
IN THE 21st YEAR OF HIS AGE. 



MR BUCKLEY HOW. 

Just lmw many graves are about this spot we have no 
information, but a former owner of the land, Mr. Edward 
Brown, conjectured, as he mowed the brush thereabouts 

many years ago, that there were at least eight or nine 
well-defined graves there. This burying-place, as we have 
said, is on a part of the Thirty-rod Highway. The small- 
pox hospital at Nobscot, tradition says, was in the "Nixon 
pasture," which is the large field on the northern slope of 
the hill; and the same authority asserts that the house in 
which John Nixon once lived, and which was on his farm. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 331 

was the building used for the hospital. Tradition also says 
that the Browns, who at that time dwelt at a place just 
west of the residence of Hubbard Brown, were accustomed 
to carry milk to a designated spot, and put it in vessels left 
there to receive it by those in charge at the hospital. 

In the north part of Sudbury there are several graves of 
persons who died of small-pox. Three of them are on the 
plain, a mile west of the old Pratt Tavern ; but they were 
levelled down by a person who came into possession of the 
place about 1825. Other graves are on the farm south of 
Mr. Jonathan Rice's Tavern, in the northwest part of the 
town. There is another at Bridle Point, just east of the 
bridge near the railroad crossing. 

There were two pest-houses on the east side ; one on "the 
Island," and the other at the northeasterly part of the pres- 
ent town of Wayland, not far to the northerly of the Sumner 
Draper estate. There is a field in that vicinity still called 
the "pock pasture." On the Draper farm, not far back of 
the dwelling-house, are the graves of other victims of this 
dreaded disease. The following inscriptions are taken from 
stones that mark these graves : — 

IN MEMORY OF 

MR. ZEBADIAH ALLEN 

WHO DIED OF THE SMALL POX — 

JUNE 2, 1777 

AGED 75 YEARS. 
IN MEMORY OF 

MARY, WIFE OF 
MR. ZEBADIAH ALLEN 

WHO DIED OF THE SMALL POX 

JUNE 7, 1777 
AGED 75 YEARS. 

These hospitals were designed especially for persons who 
desired to be inoculated for the disease with the virus of a 
small-pox patient. This method of treatment was introduced 
about 1721. For a time it met with great prejudice, but 



332 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

at length it gained ground, and many people incurred the 
risk involved in having the disease in this way, which, with 
proper treatment, was said to he very light, rather than the 
risk of taking it in the ordinary way by contagion. The fol- 
lowing statistics, taken from Rev. Israel Loring's "Diary." 
will tend to show with what reason society believed in this 
method : — 

July 19 th 1764. Persons who have had the small pox in Boston in 
the year 1704. : : : : . 



In the natural way — 


Whites — 
Blacks, 


044 
55 




Total, 


099 


Died — 


Whites, 
Blacks, 


102 

22 




Total, 


124 


By inoculation 


Whites, 
Blacks, 


4090 
207 




Total, 


4897 


Died, 


Whites, 
Blacks, 


43 
3 




Total, 


40 


Removed into the country 


to avoid the disease, 1537. 





This old manner of practice is now among the things that 
were ; and with it the pest-houses, too, have passed away. 

HIGHWAY WORK. 
In 1751, it was voted that in highway work " eight hours 
shall be accounted for a days work," "two shillings shall be 
a day's wages for a man, or so in proportion to an hour ; 
also "that one shilling be allowed for a good yoke of oxen 

a day." 

In 1756, a proposition was started to raise money by way 
of a lottery to repair the long causeway from the town bridge 
to Lieut/Benjamin Estabrook's. When it came to town- 
meeting it "passed in the negative." In 1758, the town 
again proposed to raise and repair the long causeway, and 




THE SUMMER RESIDENCE OF HON. HOMER ROGERS. 
Biographical Sketch, page 619. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



two short ones towards Lieutenant Estabrook's, and to do it 
by means of a lottery. To this proposition a formal remon- 
strance was presented, in which it was stated that the raising 
of the causeway would damage the meadow, by causing the 
water to flow back ; that there was "a good bridge over the 
river where people may travel at all seasons of the year, from 
Boston to Marlboro;" and that there is not "one foot of fall 
in said river for twenty-five or thirty miles." This remon- 
strance, however, did not prevent the ultimate accomplish- 
ment of this project. At a March meeting, 1758, the town 
voted to petition the General Court for leave to repair and 
raise the causeway by lottery, and chose the following com- 
mittee to attend to the work: Col. John Noyes, William 
Baldwin, and Col. Josiah Brown. The Court gave its assent, 
and made specifications and conditions as to how the scheme 
should proceed. One of the conditions was that drawing 
lotteries was not to continue over fifteen days, exclusive of 
Sunday. In these lotteries the town took ventures. In 1761 
" the town voted to take the tickets in Sudbury Lottery third 
class, that shall remain unsold in the manager's hand, when 
the drawing 1 st Lottery shall commence, : : : and ordered the 
tickets that remain unsold aforesaid to be lodged with the 
Town Treasurer, on the day the Lottery commences draw- 
ing." The town lost by this venture, as May 11, 1761, it 
"granted 27 lbs 12 s Lawful money, to defray the loss the town 
sustained by the tickets which the town voted to take, and 
ordered the assessors to vote it into a rate forthwith, and 
each person to have the liberty to work out his rate, pro- 
vided he or they work it out at or before the time set for 
working out s d rate, and to be under the regulation of the 
managers of s cl Lottery." In October of the same year the 
question came up as to taking tickets in Sudbury lottery 
fourth class that should remain unsold in the hands of the 
managers when the drawing began. " The vote passed in 
the negative." 

In 1653, it was "voted to accept of a highway laid out 
from Peletiah Deans North east corner, unto ye town way 
leading from the Training field by Ephraim Curtis, Esq. by 
Lt. Rice's to Weston." The same date a road was laid out 



334 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

from "Mr. Jonathan Griffin's Corner, running southwesterly 
into the way by Mr. Eliab Moor's North Corner, formerly 
Mr. John Adams'." In 1769, the town '•-ranted money to 
improve a road, lately laid out from Rev. Josiah Bridges, to 
the school house near the East meeting house." The school- 
house was the old Newell Heard store, and the road referred 
to, was the present way from the Wellington place by H. B. 
Braman's into Wayland Centre. In 1773, the town took 
action to see if it would discontinue the road "leading from 
Dr. Roby's [now Warren Roby's] to Zecheriah Briant's [now 
H. B. Braman's] lying between the two county roads." This 
was a travelled road before the laying out of the one last 
mentioned. It had its course from near the old Roby house, 
just west of Mr. Braman's, along the ridge toward Bridle 
Point. In 1774, the town accepted "a waylaid out from 
Samuel Goodnow's dwelling house to the Lancaster road." 
The same date the town accepted a way Wk laid out from 
Lancaster old road to Lt. Joseph Willis' gate by the widow 
Brigham's dwelling house." In 1774, the town accepted a 
road "laid out from Mr. Thomas Walker's land leading to 
the west meeting house." In 1771, money was granted "to 
widen the causy at Iron Works meadow." Jabez Puffer, 
John Balcom, and Joseph Willis were chosen a committee. 

SCHOOLS. 

While the town was advancing in means for the public 
convenience and safety, educational matters were progressing 
also. In 1751, the selectmen agreed " with Mr. W m Cook 
[only son of Rev. Mr. Cook] to keep a grammar school . . . 
for six months, beginning the school the first day of Novem- 
ber; and also to teach children & youth to Read English and 
wright and Instruct them in Rethmetick, and to keep the 
school in the Town School House as the Selectmen shall 
from time to time order For the sum of Twelve pounds 
Exclusive of his Board." It was voted that year that the 
grammar schools should "be kept in the two town school- 
houses by each meeting-house. This shows us where two of 
the town school-houses stood at that time: and this, with 
other records, show that school matters were at that time 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 335 

conducted by the Board of Selectmen. Another record of 
1756 shows where two other school-houses stood, inasmuch 
as the town voted that year that the grammar school should 
be kept at four places, — " two at the school houses near the 
meeting house, one at the school house near Joseph Smith's, 
and the other at that near Nathan Goodnow's." John Mon- 
roe was to keep the school, and have five pounds thirteen 
shillings four pence for a quarter, and the town was to pay 
his board. Other school-houses were also alluded to in the 
following record made the same year: u The town voted 14 
pounds for a reading and writing school, and that it should 
be kept at four places, viz, at the school house near Samuel 
Puffer's [perhaps the Pantry school], at the one near Deacon 
Rice's, at the one near Joseph Stanhope's, and the one near 
the house of Jonas Brewer." 

In 1755, the town " voted for Grammar school 30 pounds, 
three fifths to be spent on the west side, and two fifths on 
the east side the river ; for the west side the school was to 
be kept at the farm." In 1752, it " voted for the support of 
the Grammar school in sd town the year ensuing 37 pounds 
6 shillings 8 pence." The school was to be held in five 
places, — "two on the east side the river and three on the 
west, in places as followeth. In the school house near the 
house of Mr. Joseph Smith, and in a convenient place or 
near the house of Dea Jonas Brewer as may be, or in a con- 
venient place as near the house of Mr. Edward More as may 
be, and in a convenient place as near the house of L l Daniel 
Noyes as may be, and in the school house near to and north- 
erly from the house of Dea Jonathan Rice all in sd town." 
The same year the town voted that " the Reading & writing 
school should be kept In the two Town school houses the 
year ensuing." During this period several school-houses 
were built, which stood about half a century. In 1705, it 
was " voted, that the School house near [the] East meeting 
house [should] be improved, [and] to build a new school 
house near said meeting house." This may have been 
afterwards the Newell Heard store. Besides school-houses 
repaired and built, an attempt was made to supply them 
with fuel at the town's expense. It is recorded, that, March 



336 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

1, 1774, the town voted " to see if [it] will order thai the 
several school houses in said town shall he supplied with 
wood for the future at the charge of the town, agreeable to 
the petition of Jacob Reed and others."' "■ The article passed 
in the negative." 

FOURTH FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

The peace that followed the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was 
of short duration. But a few brief years elapsed before the 
thunder tones of a terrible conflict burst on the ears of a 
startled land, and sent a shudder to hearts and homes. For 
the fourth time the English and French were to cross their 
weapons in an inter-colonial war. For years the two nations 
had been expanding in population and power on the Ameri- 
can shores, and during this interval they had been fanning 
the old flame of jealousy which had its origin far back in a 
feudal age. Each was desirous of supremacy on this side the 
Atlantic, and to obtain it each was strengthening its lines for 
aggressive and defensive work. The one power worked on 
the seaboard, and extended its operations from the Penob- 
scot a thousand miles south ; the other stretched its lines of 
defense along the far-distant interior, and dotted the valley 
of the St. Lawrence River, the margins of the Mississippi 
and far-distant lakes, even to the borders of the Gulf of 
Mexico, with its trading-posts, its strongholds, and its papal 
missions. These powers sought the same common prize. — 
the conquest of the country. Already the English claimed 
that part of it south of the latitude of the north shore of 
Lake Erie, and westward to the far-off Pacific, by right of 
charter. Already the Frenchman disputed this right, and 
claimed the interior as it bordered the Mississippi River 
and its tributaries, by right of exploration and settlement, 
Which was to he the permanent title was to be settled, not 
by diplomacy, but by the arbitrament of the musket, toma- 
hawk, and torch. The French early prepared for this mode 
of adjusting their claims. More than sixty fortifications had 
been constructed by them prior to 1750. The English, made 
suspicious by the erection of garrisons, and knowing the sig- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 337 

nificance of trading-posts in the interior of the country, pre- 
pared to arrest the course of the foe. 

Before, however, a settlement was effected a long and 
severe war ensued ; so severe, indeed, was the struggle, that 
long after the period was past its events were prominent in 
the annals of New England. Tradition kept them alive as 
the years rolled by, and the wild scenes set forth by survivors 
became the subject of ballad and song. Long after the 
struggle had ceased, tales of those times were recited by the 
blazing hearth, as, gathered by the fitful fire-light, groups 
of listeners gave ear to the thrilling rehearsal, while they 
watched the changeful glow of the coals as they crackled 
and crumbled on their ashen bed. The snow-shoes, brought 
down from the garret, where they had long lain amid the 
dust of that mystic place, were reminders of the cold, rough 
march, and the noiseless procession of rangers, as they sped 
over the pathless snow. The bright fire-light, as it flickered 
up the chimney's broad flue ; the mossy wood, newly cut, in 
the corner, — all were alike suggestive of forest adventure, 
of the lone sentinel guard in the dark, deep shade, and of tales 
told by the light of camp-fires in places far from home. 

The war was to a large extent carried on by expeditions 
or campaigns, the object of which was to capture the strong- 
holds of Canada. We will give lists of Sudbury soldiers who 
were in these campaigns. 

CROWN POINT EXPEDITION. 

In 1755, a regiment was raised, and placed under command 
of Col. Josiah Brown of Sudbury, for the purpose of prevent- 
ing the encroachments of the French about Crown Point and 
upon "Lake Iroquois, commonly called by the French, Lake 
Champlain." The regiment belonged to the command of 
William Johnson. The following is a list of the field and 
staff officers : — 

Josiah Brown, Col. Samuel Brigham, Surgeon. 

John Cummings, Lt. Col. Benjamin Gott, Surgeon's Mate 

Steven Miller, Major David Mason, Commissary 

Samuel Dunbar, Chaplain Joseph Lovering, Adjutant 



338 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Sept. 10, 1755, Samuel Dakin received a commission as 
captain of foot in this regiment. The muster-roll of his com- 
pany contains forty-eight names, of which the following are 
supposed to be from Sudbury : — 

Capt. S. Dakin Sam 1 Grout 

Elisha Cutler Jason Gleason 

Silas Clapp Abel Farrar 

Moses Puffer Josiah Barker 

Nath 1 Eveleth Ephriam Woods, Jr. 

Sam 1 Gibbs J r Samuel Estabrook 

Sam 1 Burbank Lt. Joseph Baker 

Joseph Sherman Jon a Barrett 

Sudbury men in a second list of Capt. Samuel Dakin's 
Company, 1755 : — 

Samuel Grout sergt. Samuel Mead, Jr. 

David Eveleth corp 1 Jason Gleason 

Jonathan Bent Nathaniel Gibbs 

Silas Clapp Samuel Burbank 

Silas Puffer Moses Jones 

Joseph Maynard Charles Wetherbe 

W m Skinner Abijah Brigham 

Simon Maynard Josiah Sherman 

Jedediah Parmenter Josiah Walker. 

Sudbury men in Capt. Jonathan Hoar's company, 1755 : — 

Adam Gilbert Charles Roiley 

Uriah Choochett Jonathan Stanhope. 

Sudbury men in the Crown Point expedition of 1756, in 
Capt. Ebenezer Newell's company : — 

John Nixon Lieut. [Fram] Micah Grout 

Ensign Joseph Brintnall Leavitt How 

Warren Goodenow Isaac Goodenow 
Ezra Barker 

Sudbury men in Capt. John Nixon's company, 1756 : — 

Samuel Parmenter Samuel Putnam 

Phinehas Haynes W"> Puffer 

Samuel Burbank Jon?. Maynard 
Eph. Hayden 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 339 

Sudbury men in a third list of Capt. Samuel Dakin's com- 
pany : — 

Samuel Grout Joseph Sherman 

David Evelith Jonathan Bent 

Silas Clapp Joseph Maynard 

W m Skinner Silas Puffer 

Jedediah Parmenter Simon Maynard 

Samuel Mead Jr. Jason Gleason 

Nathaniel Gibbs Moses Stone 

Samuel Burbank Abijah Brigham 
Charles Wetherbe 

Sudbury men in other lists are as follows : Crown Point ex- 
pedition in Capt. William Jones' company, Colonel Thatch- 
er's regiment : — 

Jonas Balcom Miles Realy 

Ebenezer Woodis Nathaniel Hayden 

Leavitt How Nathan Maynard 

Oliver Grout Jonas Gibbs 

Benjamin Gleason Solomon How 

Joseph Mungry Nathan Smith 
Micah Grout 

In Col. John Jones' regiment for the invasion of Canada, 
under command of General Amherst : — 

Joel Clapp Daniel Parmenter 

Silas HerAenway Isiah Parmenter 

Joseph Green Cole 

Ebenezer Wooddis Samuel Putman 
Andrew White 

In Capt. Josiah Richardson's company, Col. Joseph Buck- 
minster's regiment : — 

Jonas Balcom Miles Realy 

Joseph Muzzy Nathaniel Hayden 

Leavet How Nathan Maynard 
Micah Grout 

In the company of Capt. John Nixon of Sudbury, 1761: — 

Isaiah Parmenter, Serg 1 Uriah Gibbs. 

Ebenezer Woodes, Corp 1 Moses Haynes 



340 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Caleb Clark Ephraim Hayden 

Nathaniel Cutter Isaac Lincoln 

Benj a Cutter Jesse Putnam 

Benj a Clark John Putnam 

W m Daniels Daniel Parmenter 

Josiah Everton. David Rice 

Ephraim Goodnow Jun. Elijah Willis. 
Thomas Green 

In Capt. Moses Maynard's company : — 

Oliver Gould Benjamin Gleason 

Others in the service : — 

John Rutter. Samuel Graves 

Josiah Baldwin. Daniel Wyman. 

Josiah Pratt. 

Lieut. Samuel Curtis and eighteen men joined Capt, 
Samuel Dakin's company in the expedition to Canada in 
1758. 

The following lists contain the names of the active militia 
force of Sudbury, April, 1757. Many whose names are in 
these lists engaged in one or more of the campaigns as the 
war progressed, and then returned to exchange the musket 
or sword for the implements of peaceful pursuits, still hold- 
ing themselves in readiness at their country's call to place 
their names again on the muster-roll : — 

A List of The Officers and Soldiers of the First Foot Company in 
Sudbury under the command of Capt. Moses Maynard, U Joseph Curtis 
and En. Jason Glezen. 

Sarg John Rice Abraham Jenkens Jun. 

" Israel Rice Ebenezer King 

" Samuell Russell Joseph Trask 

" Isaac Cutting. Thomas Allen Jun 

Corp 1 Jonathan Underwood Elijah Rice 

" Nehemiah Williams John Parmenter Jun 

" Josiah Farrar Grindly Jackson 

" Sam 1 Fisk Caleb Moulton 

Drum. John Combs. Bezaleel Moore 

" W m Russell. Timothy Underwood 

Joseph Smith Phineas Gleyen 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



341 



Shemnel Griffyn 
Joseph Rutter 
Samu 11 Abbott 
Randall Davis Jun 
W m Moulton 
John Parmenter 
Sam 1 Gould Jun. 
Ephraim Smith 
Jonathan Graves 
Jacob Alderick 

Sam 1 Livermore 

Charles Wetheaby 

W m Ravis 

David Bent 

Isaac Damon 

James Davis 

Henery Coggin 

W m Dudly 

Micah Rice 

Isaac Wetheaby 

Jonathan Belcher 

Ephraim Abbott 

John Allen 

Benj a Glezen 
A true Copy taken Apr. 25, 1757 



Samu 11 Griffyn 
Micah Maynard 
W m Grout 
Edw d Shannon Jun 
John Walker 
John Meriam 
Edmond Rice 
Jason Glezen 
Elijah Ross 
John Morffet 
Benj a Cory 
Ebenecer Staples 
Sam 1 Pool 
Zebediih Allen Jun 
Josiah Maynard 
Jonas Woodward 
Benj a A. Williams 
David Patterson 
David Stone 
Jason Glezen Jun 
Thomas Bent Jun 
Thadeus Russell 
James Ross 
W m Sanderson 

Sam 1 - Curtis, Clerk. 



A true list of the 2ond Foot 
Cap tn Josiah Richardson taken 
1757. 

Capt. Josiah Richardson 
Lef nt Abijah Haynes 
Ens in Jabez Puffer 
Serg' Joseph Willis 
Serg 1 Elijah Smith 
Serg 1 Corneleas Wood 
Serg 1 David Moore 
Corp Joseph Stanhope 
Corp Samuell Eaton 
Corp Oliver Dackin 
Corp Josiah Richardson 
Drum. Jessie Willis 

" W m Rice Jun. 
John Rice 
John Reamos 
Jonas Gibs 
John Jacob Cibellar 



Company in Sudbury under command of 
by Ezekiel How Clerk, April y e 25 th 

W ra Skiner 
W m Gibs 
W m Hayden 
Isaac Hunt Jun 
Jeams Wier 
Ephriam Rice 
Ephriam Goodenow 
Elijah Parmenter 
Ezekiel Parmenter 
Ephriam Hayden 
Jun. Edmond Goodenow 

Eben r Burbank 
Eben r Woode 
Geo. Wheller 
Geo. Mossmon 
Joseph Maynard Jun 
Jeames Carter 



342 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



Leavit How 
Micah Goodenow 
Michall Mellong 
Morris Clarrey 
Micah Parmenter 
Micah Grout 
Miells Rayley 
Mosies Rice 
Nathan Moore 
Nathaniel Gibs Jun. 
Nathaniel Muzzey 
Norman Saever 
Nathaniel Cuter 
Rowen Boogrill 
Reubin Willis 
Richard Ralley 
Reubin Norse 
Oliver Mors 
Peletiah Parmenter 
Edward Bointon 
Patrick Roach 
Simeon Harris 
Samuiell Parmenter 
Samuiell Osbon 
Samuiell Brigham 
Samuiell Dackin Jun 
Samuiell Burbank Jun 
Samuiell Puffer Jun 
Samuiell Knight Jun 
Silas Balkom 
Silas Puffer 
Silas Smith 
Samuiell Putnam 
Thomas Goodenow 
Thomas Walker Jun 
Uriah Parmenter Jun 
W" 1 Parmenter 
Daniel Noyse Jun 



James Haynes 
Isaack Linckon 
Jeames Thompson 
Jonathan Maynard 
Josiah Haynes 
John Mossman 
Jonas Hallden 
Jonas Hayden 
Isrial Haynes 
Jeams Puffer 
Jonal Balcom 
Josiah Rice 
John Willis 
John Burbank 
Josiah Bennit Jun 
Jonathan Haynes 
Jonathan Rice Jun 
John Goodenow 
John Puffer 
Jeams Puffer Jun 
Joseph Muzzey Jun 
Aron Haynes 
Abijah Walker 
Ambrus Tower 
Asa Smith 
Asiell Clap 
Aron Johnson 
Abel Brown 
Aron Earns 
Andrew White 
Benimin Tower 
Beniman Berry 
David Maynard Jun 
Daniell Clap 
Daniell Bowken 
David Clark 
Daniell Parmenter 



There was also in Sudbury what was called an Alarm List. 
This included persons between the ages of sixteen and sixty, 
who were ordinarily exempt from military duty, but were 
liable to be called upon in emergencies. The following are 
the names on an Alarm List which is supposed to have been 
commanded by Capt. Thomas Damon. 



HISTOEY OF SUDBURY. 



343 



List of those persons who are obliged to appear on an alarm, between 

the ages of 16 and GO in the First foot Company in Sudbury. Apr 25. 

1757 

Samuel Curtis, Clerk. 



Ebenezer Roby, Esq. 
W m Cook Jun 
W m Baldwin 
Ebenezer Roby Jun. 
Abial Abbott 
Isaac Baldwin 
Naham Baldwin 
John Ross. 
Zecariah Briant. 
Benj n Briant 
Benj n Ball 
Daniel Wyman 
James Patterson 
Thomas Bent 
Joseph Goodnow 
Elijah Bent 
Cor. Thomas Damon 
James Graves 
Amos Sanderson 
Ezra Graves 
Joseph Livermore 
Isaac Rice 
Peter Bent 



Zebediah Allen 
Paul Brintnal. 
Hopstill Bent, 
Joseph Beal. 
Joseph Sharmon, 
James Brewer jun. 
Eliakim Rice. 
Benjaman Dudley 
Samuel Parris. 
Peter Bent Jun 
Thomas Graves 
Isaac Woodward 
Thomas Jenkinson 
David McDaniels 
Daniel Moore Jun 
Amos Brown 
Jonathan Patterson 
Elisha Rice Jun. 
Peter Briant 
David Sharmon 
Josiah Haynes 
Isaac Stone 
Jonathan Griffin. 



In Auo-ust, 1757, the men on both the Active and Alarm 
Lists were mustered for service. The year had been one 
of disaster to the English and American forces ; and, on 
Auo-ust 3, General Montcalm with about nine thousand 
French and one thousand Indians besieged Fort William 
Henry, which he captured after a six days' siege, during 
which time it was gallantly defended by Colonel Monroe 
with a force of twenty-three hundred and seventy-two men. 
The report of the disaster was sad intelligence to New Eng- 
land and consternation prevailed. The militia were called 
to arms, and soon a large part of those on both the Active 
and Alarm Lists were on their way towards Fort William 
Henry ; but Montcalm not taking advantage of his victory 
in the way that was expected, in about two weeks the troops 
returned. 



344 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The following are the officers of a troop of horse in 
Sudbury in 1762 : — 

Capt. John Noyes 
1st Lieut. Israel Moore 
2ond Lieut. Richard Heard 
Cornet, Jonathan Parmenter 
Quarter Master, Samuel How. 

Officers of the troop of horse in Sudbury in 1771 : — 

FIRST COMPANY. SECOND COMPANY. 

Capt. Joseph Curtis Capt. Aaron Haynes 

1st Lieut. Micah Maynard. 1st Lieut. Daniel Bowker 

2ond Lieut. Ebenezer Staples. Ens. James Puffer. 
Ens. Samuel Choate 

THIRD COMPANY. 

Capt. Samuel Knight 
1st Lieut. Moses Stone 

The foregoing lists indicate that the town was well repre- 
sented in the last French war, and that its militia force was 
quite strong. Some of the officers whose names are given 
were prominent citizens. Col. Josiah Brown has been men- 
tioned in connection with military operations of a preceding 
period. Capt. John Nixon, who in 1759, is mentioned as a 
citizen of Sudbury, was, subsequently, General Nixon of 
Revolutionary fame. Other of her soldiers who became 
efficient officers in the Revolutionary War received their first 
lessons in military tactics in this severe school. 

In one of the expeditions of this war, the town sustained 
the loss of Capt. Dakin and several others of its citizens, who 
were killed by the Indians at Half- Way Brook, near Fort 
Edward, July 20, 1758. At the time of this event, Capt. 
Dakin and his company were connected with the expedition 
of General Amherst against Crown Point. The following- 
brief account of the attendant circumstances are stated in a 
diary kept by Lieut. Samuel Thomson of Woburn : — 

"July 20, Thursday in the morning, 10 men in a scout 
waylaid by the Indians and shot at and larmed the fort and 
a number of our men went out to assist them, and the enemy 
followed our men down to our Fort, and in their retreat, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 345 

Capt. Jones and Lieut. Godfrey were killed, and Capt Law- 
rence and Capt. Dakin and Lieut. Curtis and Ens" Davis, 
and two or three non-commissioned officers and privates, to 
the number of 14 men, who were brought into the Fort, all 
scalped but Ens n Davis, who was killed within 30 or 40 
rods from the Fort: and there was one grave dug, and all 
of them were buried together, the officers bj themselves at 
one end, and the rest at the other end of the grave; and 
Mr. Morrill made a prayer at the grave, and it was a solemn 
funeral ; and Nath 1 Eaton died in the Fort and was buried ; 
and we kept a very strong guard that night of 100 men. 
Haggit [and] W m Coggin wounded." 

Then follows a list of the killed, beginning, — 

Capt. Ebenezer Jones of Willmington 
Capt Dakin of Sudbury 

Lieut Samuell Curtice of Ditto 
Private Grout of do 

" We have also an account that there are seven of our 
men carried into Ticonderoga, which make up the number 
of those that were missing. 

" 21. Friday, in y e forenoon a party of about 150 went 
out to find more men that were missing, and we found 4 men 
who were scalped, and we buried them, and so returned : 
and at prayer this evening we were Laromed by a false out- 
cry. Nicholas Brown died and was buried ; and Moses 
Haggit died." 

As Jonathan Patterson and Nathaniel Moulton of Sud- 
bury are reported missing, they may have been among the 
number above referred to. 

The following epitaph of Captain Dakin was written hy 
William Rice, Esq., who was his orderly sergeant. 

Good by, Capt. Dakin Samuell. 

In a battle near Lake George he fell. 

In the death of Captain Dakin, a loss was sustained by 
the town, the church, and the province. The following 
sketch contains some facts concerning his life, 



346 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

SKETCH OF CAPTAIN DAKIN. 

Samuel Dakin was a son of Deacon Joseph Dakin, whose 
father, Thomas, settled in Concord prior to 1650. la 1722, 
he married Mercy Minott, daughter of Colonel Minott who 
built the fust framed house in Concord. The farm of Cap- 
tain Dakin was in the northern part of Sudbury, on the road 
running northerly to Concord, his house being very near 
town boundary. As early as 174"), he was appointed ensign 
of the second company of foot in Sudbury, of which Josiah 
Richardson was captain and Joseph Buckminster was colonel. 
Sept. 40, 1755, he received the commission of captain in 
Col. Josiah Brown's regiment. In May, 1758, he received 
an order from Ebenezer Nichols to be present with his com- 
pany at Worcester on the 25th, and to furnish his men with 
kt Bounty for Biliting." From Worcester lie proceeded to 
Fort Edward, where he probably arrived about the middle 
of June, and in the vicinity of which he remained till his 
death, which occurred as before described. Captain Dakin 
was not only valiant in his country's service but valiant in 
the army of the Lord as well. His character as a Christian 
is indicated by the following covenant, copied from the 
original, which is still in the possession of one of his 
descendants. 

COVENANT. 

O, Thou Glorious God ! Thou hast promised mercy in 
Christ Jesus, if I turn to Thee with my whole heart, I 
therefore upon the call of the Gospel, do come and throwing 
down my weapons of rebellion, do submit to Thy mercy, as 
Thou requires! as the condition of my acceptance with Thee, 
that I put away mine idols and be at defiance with Thine 
enemies, which I acknowledge I have wickedly sided with 

dnst Thee, I do now from my heart renounce them all, 
firmly covenanting with Thee not to allow myself in any 
known sin, but constantly to use all means that I know 
Thou hast prescribed, for the death and destruction of my 
corruptions, and as my heart has been running after this 
world and sin and vanity, I do now resign it to Thee that 
made it. protesting before Thy Glorious Majesty, that it is 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 347 

the firm resolution of my heart and that I do unfeignedly 
desire grace from Thee, that when Thou shalt call me here- 
unto, I may practice this my resolution, and by Thine 
assistance, to forsake that which is dear to me in this world, 
rather than turn from Thee to the ways of sin, and Thou 
wilt enable me to work against all temptations, whether in 
prosperity or in adversity, lest they draw my heart from 
Thee. O, Glorious God, I would again come before Thee 
with all possible veneration bowing myself at the feet of 
Thy Glorious Majesty. I do here take the Lord Jehovah, 
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for my portion and chief good, 
and do give up myself body and soul for service to serve 
Thee all the days of my life I do here upon the bended 
knees of my soul, accept of Jesus as the only way by which 
sinners have access to God. I do this day take the Lord to 
be my Lord, and Jesus Christ to be my Saviour, resolving 
to serve Thee in all my affairs. I do renounce my former 
righteousness, and take Thee to be " The Lord my right- 
eousness " and am willing to take my lot as it falls, as to the 
goods of this world, leaving all my concerns with Thee, 
verily supposing that nothing separate me from the love of 
Jesus Christ my Lord and dear Redeemer, and from this 
day I shall be bold to call the Lord Jehovah my Father, and 
Jesus Christ my Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost my sancti- 
fier, hoping that my God will suffer no allowed sin to make 
void this covenant, and this covenant that I have made on 
earth, may it be ratified in heaven. Amen & Amen. 

July 27th 1753. memorandum. 

This day renew this covenant having often broken it. 
The Lord accept me again for his great mercy sake in Jesus 
Christ. 

Sept. 29th 1750. memorandum. 

This day renew this covenant, having often broken it, 
although nothing hath failed on God's part and now going 
on an Expedition against the enemy at Crown point, I have 
given myself up wholly to God to be at His disposal in life 
or death, and O that God would accept of me again for Jesus 
Christ's sake. 



348 HISTORY Otf SUDBURY. 

May 23d 1758. memorandum. 
This day renew this covenant with God, and while going 
on an expedition against Canada I have left myself wholly 
in the hands of God, to be at His disposal in life or death. 

Samuel Dakix. 

Captain Dakin's character is also shown by the following 
extracts from letters to his wife while he was serving in the 
Canada campaign. In a letter dated Sept. 26, 1755, he 
says : " I am in good health and my company are so obe- 
dient to me and so loving one to another that it makes my 
life exceeding comfortable and pleasant. I have never yet 
heard one thwarting word in my company, but they seem all 
to have a brotherly care one for another, and have never 
heard one profane word among them, and their forwardness 
to attend religious exercises is delightful to me so that I have 
many mercies." 

In a letter of June 10, 1758, he speaks of the condition of 
his company, and says : " they are all well, and I hope I 
shall be very happy in my company, and they are very ready 
to attend prayers and singing of Psalms which we have 
practiced on our journey." 

July 11, 1758, in writing from Lake George he says: 
"And now my dear wife and children, I desire you would 
not distress yourselves about me but commit me in your 
] »ravers to God to be wholly at his disposal and I hope by 
his preserving providence I shall after awhile rejoice with 
you again in my own house ; but if not I hope we shall all 
rejoice together in heaven which will be spiritually better." 
Before he closes his letter he asks for their prayers for him- 
self, his men, and the whole army. 

Such are some extracts from the correspondence of this 
Christian soldier. They serve, not only to set forth the 
character of the man, but of an officer in the military service 
of those times. Surely, if Captain Dakin was a representa- 
tive of that generation of men, no wonder that the cause for 
which they fought was at last triumphant. His descendants 
have been prominent citizens of Sudbury. Levi and Thomas, 
grandson and great grandson, were deacons in the Congre- 
gational Church. 



history of sudbury. 349 

Not only were the New England towns called upon to 
furnish men for the war, but their equipment and mainten- 
ance also when in the field. As the soldiers to an extent 
enlisted for single campaigns, repeatedly, the expense of 
fitting out demanded new contributions. This condition 
of things occasioned heavy taxation and the issuing of bills of 
credit by the government. Besides the money provided by 
the public for the prosecution of the war, some means were 
furnished by the merchants, farmers and others for the 
encouragement of enlistments. 

FRENCH NEUTRALS. 

Amoiisr other services rendered by the towns was the 
maintenance of what were termed French Neutrals, the 
people whom Longfellow has described in his poem, " Evan- 
geline." As Sudbury had some of these to care for, a few 
words relative to their general history may be appropriate. 
Upon the cession of the province of Nova Scotia by France 
to the British in 1713, a colony of about seven thousand 
French Roman Catholics became subjects of Great Britain. 
These colonists were allowed to remain on the land they had 
occupied, on condition of their taking the oath of allegiance 
to England. The oath was taken with the qualification 
that, in case of war against France, they were not to take 
up arms against their own countrymen. It was thus they 
acquired the name of French Neutrals. But it was alleged 
that, during the war which began in 1755, they furnished 
the French and Indians with substantial aid, thus enabling 
them the better to harass the English, that three hundred 
of them were found in arms at the taking of Fort Bcau- 
Sejour, and that although an offer was made to such as had 
not resorted to arms to still hold their estate on taking the 
oath of allegiance without qualification, yet they one and all 
refused to do so. In view of this attitude, the English 
believed that the public safety required their removal from 
the province. If they were taken to Canada they would 
still be enabled to assist the French. It was, therefore, 
determined to convey them to different parts of the British 
Colonies. The plan of removing them was largely intrusted 



350 HISTOIIY OF SUDBUliV. 

to the forces of Massachusetts under command of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Winslow. 

At an appointed time, the people were called into the 
different ports "to hear the King's orders." About four 
hundred of their best men assembled at the village of Grand 
Pre. A guard being placed about the church where they 
were, Colonel Winslow made known his sad errand. 

One thousand of these French Neutrals arrived in the 
Massachusetts Bay Province and were supported at public 
expense. Different towns, among which was Sudbury, had 
their quota to care for. Repeatedly is there a record of 
supplies furnished them by the town. The following is a 
general statement of some of these, and also a bill of attend- 
ance and medicine furnished by Dr. Roby, one of Sudbury's 
old time physicians. 

An account of what hath been expended by s cl Town of Sudbury on 
Sundry French Persons sent from Nova Scotia to this province and by 
s' 1 government to Town of Sudbury. 

The subsisting of Eighteen persons ten days — six persons three 
weeks, and four persons twenty-three weeks, the whole amounting to 
one hundred and twenty-seven weeks for one person charged at four 
shillings week for each person ^25 — <S S 

Ephraim Curtis Ebenezer Roby 

Josiah Brown Josiah Haynes 

John Noyes Samuel Dakin 

Elijah Smith. Selectmen. 

Some of them being sick a great many comers and goers to visit 
them made the expense the greater even thirteen or fourteen at a time 
for a week together. 

State Archives, Vol. XXIII., page 98. 

M ISSACHUSETTS PROVINCE. 

For medicine and attendants for the French Neutrals from Nova 
Scotia. 

L755, Dec. 11 — To Sundry Medicines for French young woman — 
27 — To Do. for girl 6 d 

L756, Mar. '1:1, — To Sundry Medicines and Journey in the night west 
side the River — 0-5-8 

To Sundry .Medicines Journey west side 0-4-0 

To Do. T To Journey and Medicines 0-7-0 

To Do. I for tlie old Gentleman when he tell off the House and was 
greatly bruised and sick of a fever the clavicula being broke. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 851 

May, 1756, To medicine and attendants for the old Gentleman, the 
whole month of May and his wife greatest part of the time himself when 
dangerously sick of a fever, violent coughs and are still remaining in a 
low languishing condition. 

N. B. The above old gentleman and wife have been in a low lan- 
guishing condition all the spring and have had no more doctoring than 
what has been of absolute necessity. 

State Archives, Vol. XXIII., page 97. 

Melancholy, indeed, was the fate of those ancient Aca- 
dians. Although the circumstances were such that the 
English may have considered their removal a military neces- 
sity, yet the fact remains that sorrow and hardship attended 
their exile. Thej^ were strangers in a strange land. Their 
pleasant homes were abandoned, and with their lands passed 
into the hands of another race. 

" Waste are those pleasant farms and the farmers forever departed ; 
Scattered like dust and leaves when the mighty blasts of October 
Seize them, and whirl them aloft and sprinkle them far o'er the ocean." 

Feb. 10, 1763, a treaty of peace was signed at Paris, and 
the long, arduous struggle between the two great nations 
ceased. The announcement brought great joy to New Eng- 
land. Days of public thanksgiving were observed, and 
praise was offered unto Him " from whom all blessings flow." 
No longer was Canada to be a place from which a foe 
could sally forth to harass the exposed frontier, and to 
which he could return with his captives and booty. The 
same flag was to float over New England and beyond the 
northern border, and the Canadian fortresses were to be 
manned by English or American soldiers. 

In yet another way did this war bring its benefits to 
Americans. It gave them a knowledge of the military 
tactics of Europe, by which they were the better able to 
cope with the British when, in after years, they met them 
on the memorable fields of the Revolutionary War. 

About ten years after the close of the war both precincts 
lost their pastors. The first that died was Mr. Cook, who 
passed away in 1760. That year the town voted kt sixty-five 
pounds to each of the Rev d ministers for the year ensuing 



352 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

including their salary and fire wood ; in case they or either 
of them should decease before the expiration of the year, 
then they or either of them to receive their salary in propor- 
tion during the time they shall live and no longer." 

This may indicate that their death was anticipated. An- 
other record indicates that Mr. Cook had been sick some 
time when this vole was passed, as the town book goes on 
to state, " The same meeting granted thirty-three pounds, 
six shillings six pence to pay persons who had supplied the 
pulpit in Mr. Cook's confinement, and also granted thirty 
pounds more to supply the pulpit during his sickness, and 
chose a committee to provide preaching in the meantime." 
May 11, 1761, the town appropriated seventeen pounds, six 
shillings, eight pence " out of the money granted for the 
Rev. Mr. Cook's salary in the year 1760, to defray the Rev. 
Mr. Cook's funeral expenses." 

Mr. Cook had one son who taught the grammar school for 
years in Sudbury, and died of a fever in 1758. After the 
decease of Mr. Cook, another minister was soon sought for 
on the east side. A little disturbance, and perhaps delay, 
was occasioned by a petition sent to the General Court 
relating to the settlement of another minister on the east 
side the river. But the matter was amicably adjusted by 
a vote of the town: whereby it decided "not to send an 
agent to the General Court to show cause or reason why the 
petition of Deacon Adam Stone and others relating to the 
settlement of a Gospel minister on the East side the river 
should not be granted." The town furthermore voted, that 
the " prayers of the petition now in Court should be granted, 
Provided the Court would Grant and confirm the like Privi- 
lege to the West Church and Congregation when there shall 
be reason. John Noyes Moderator." 

The way cleared of obstructions a new pastor was soon 
found. Choice was made of Rev. Josiah Bridge. Oct. 14, 
L761, ('apt. Moses Maynard was allowed twelve shillings 
"for his travel to Lunenburg to wait on Mr. Bridge ; " and, 
at the same meeting, it was " voted to grant to Air. Bridge 
his settlement and salary as he had contracted with the East 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY 353 

Precinct for, and ordered the assessors to assess the inhabi- 
tants of the town for the same." 

Delegates were duly chosen by the West Side Church, 
Nov. 3,° 1761, to attend Mr. Bridge's ordination, — Deacon 
Haynes, John Haynes, Josiah Richardson, and Cornelius 
Wood. Mr. Bridge was a native of Lexington, and graduate 
of Harvard College in 1758. He was ordained Nov. 4, 1761, 
and died June 19, 1801, aged sixty-two, and in the fortieth 
year of his ministry. A few years after Mr. Cook's decease 
Rev. Mr. Loring also passed away, his death occurring 
March 9, 1772. 

The West Church voted, April 7, 1772, "to set apart 
Thursday next as a day of Fasting and prayer to seek ye 
direction and blessing of heaven on the endeavor to settle 
another Gospel Minister among them." Also, " voted that 
the Rev. Mr. Stone of Sonthboro, Rev. Mr. Bridge of the 
East Precinct, Rev. Mr. Bridge of Framingham, and Rev. 
Mr. Swift of Marlboro be requested to give their presence 
and assistance. Exercises to commence at 10 o'clock." 
May 6, 1772, the town " granted Eighteen pound Lawful 
money for to pay the charge of Rev. Mr. Loring's Funeral," 
also at the same date it was " voted that the remainder of 
the [money] granted to pay the Rev. Mr. Loring's salary 
should be applied for supplying the pulpit." 

SKETCH OP MR. LORING. 

The service of Mr. Loring in the church at Sudbury was 
long and fruitful. He died in the ninetieth year of his age 
and the sixty-sixth year of his ministry. It was said of him 
that " as he earnestly desired and prayed that he might be 
serviceable as long as he should live, so it pleased God to 
vouchsafe his request, for he continued to preach 'till the 
last Sabbath but one before his death, and the next day 
prayed in the town meeting, which was on the 2 nd day of the 
month. The night following he was taken ill, and on the 
9 th of March 1772, he expired." Mr. Loring had pious 
parentage. His father, Mr. John Loring of Hull, came from 
Eno-land, Dec. 22, 1634. It has been said of him that, like 



354 History of sudbury. 

Obadiah, " lie feared the Lord greatly." His mother was 
also religious, and tk prayed with her family in her husband's 
absence." Mr. Loring was born at Hull, Mass., April 6, 
1682. It is supposed he was converted in his youth. He 
graduated at Harvard College in 1701. He began to preach 
at Scituate, lower parish, Aug. 1, 1703, and preached first 
at Sudbury July 29, 1705. In the year 1723, on the 25th of 
July, he removed to the west side of the river, where he 
continued in service until flesh and strength failed. He left 
two sons and four daughters, his son Jonathan having died 
some years before the death of his father. Elizabeth, born 
Nov. 16, 1712, married Richard Manson of Sudbury, June 6, 
1716. Mary, born Sept. 14, 1716, married Elisha Wheeler, 
and died, Jan. 22, 1801. Nathan, born Nov. 27, 1721, mar- 
ried Keziah Woodward, Dec. 31, 1747, who died July 28, 
1754. He married a second time, and died April 25, 1803. 
" He was a farmer, and lived on the place afterwards owned 
by Loring Wheeler 1st." On the fidelity of Mr. Loring's 
ministry we need offer no comments: his works are his 
memorials. At the time of his installation at Sudbury the 
church numbered one hundred and twenty, — forty-one 
males and seventy-nine females. During his ministry four 
hundred and fifty were added to it ; of these, forty-two 
males and seventy-two females were added before the divi- 
sion of the church, and, after the division, there were added 
to the West Church one hundred and twenty-nine males and 
two hundred and seven females. The whole number of 
children baptized by Mr. Loring in Sudbury was fourteen 
hundred. 

It has been said concerning his service on the West Side, 
" Thus did this excellent and venerable man thro' a long 
series of years, burn and shine in eminent Piety, indefati- 
gable Dilligence, faithfulness, and distinguished usefulness 
of truly primitive stamp. Heu Pietas ! lieu prisca Fides ! " 
It is said, further, that he was " honored and revered by all 
whose regards were worth receiving; and for a great number 
of years was the head and the glory and delight of the 
ministry." Beside these substantial testimonials of merit, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 355 

he has left various publications which also set forth his 
worth. Some of these printed works are as follows : — 

" The nature and necessaty of the New Birth, (a ser- 
mon.) Printed for and sold by D. Henchman, over against 
the British meeting house. MDCCXXVII1." 

" Serious thoughts on the miseries of hell. (Preached at 
Sudbury, Sunday, Feb. 20, 1731-2.)" 

Several other sermons on important religious subjects 
were published, also au election sermon, of date 1739; a 
convention sermon, 1742, and others not mentioned here, 
making in all eleven publications. He also kept a succes- 
sion of diaries, some of which are still extant. They are 
closely written and somewhat hard to be read, but contain 
valuable matter that pertains to the affairs of both province 
and town. Mr. Loring was a strong Calvinist, an earnest 
preacher and somewhat noted minister. It is said he did 
not like the ways of Mr. Whitefield, the evangelist, and the 
excitement attendant upon his revivals ; and this, together 
with some other matters, led to some unpleasantness for a 
time. He was fine looking, tall, slender, and of dark com- 
plexion. When he lived on the East Side, he occupied the 
parsonage which the town provided for Mr. Sherman. In 
1778, the town voted " to give to Mr. Isreal Loring our 
present minister ye 4 acres of land and ye building now 
upon it } rt ye bought of John Loker to him and his heirs 
forever, on y e s d Mr. Isreal Loring relinquishing ye <£50 
which y e town granted him." (See Chapter XV.) 

Thus lived and died a good and great man; but "though 
dead he yet speaketh." 

" The precious memory of the just 
Shall flourish when they sleep in dust." 

After the death of Mr. Loring, the church did not remain 
long dependent upon a temporary supply. On July 27, 
1772, it proceeded to select a Gospel minister, and the Rev. 
Jacob Bigelow was unanimously chosen. He was to have a 
salary of seventy-four pounds. He was ordained Nov. 11, 
1772. The following churches were represented on the occa- 



356 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

sion of ordination : East Precinct, Josiah Bridge ; Waltham, 
Jacob Gushing; Weston, Samuel Woodward; Sherburn, 
Elijah Brown; Framingham, Matthew Bridge; Lexington, 
Jonas Clark ; Westborough, Ebenezer Parkman. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

For a time preceding the Revolution, the West Side was 
divided into the North and South Wards. In 1765, Richard 
Heard offered to collect the taxes on the East Side the river 
for three pence per pound if they would appoint him col- 
lector and constable ; and Aaron Haynes offered to collect 
them for the North Ward, West Side, and Jedediah Par- 
menter for the South Ward at the same rates. 

In 1705, the town " voted to build a new stone pound 
between Lieut. Augustus Moors' dwelling house at the 
gravel pit, on Col. Noyes land which he promised to give 
the town to set a pound on by Dead.*' The pound was to 
be " 30 feet square from Enside to Enside 6 ft high with 
pieces of timber locked together round the top 8 inches 
square, for six pounds and the old pound/' 

In 1771, the town voted to build a powder-house in which 
to keep the town's stock of ammunition. It granted for 
this object " 7 pounds 9 shillings and 4 pence, and agreed 
with Col. John Noyes to build it, and place it near or on 
W ra Baldwin's land near Major Curtis'." Another record 
of the same year states that " the town voted to erect the 
powder house on the training field near Mr. Elisha Wheel- 
ers." In 1773, it "voted to remove the powder house to 
some suitable place on or near the gravel pit hill, and chose 
a committee to remove the same, if the committee should 
think the house will be sufficient for the use it was built for, 
and rough cast and underpin said building." 

In 1772, the town "gave leave to John Balcom, Joseph 
Willis, Abijah Brigham, and Jonathan Smith, to set up a 
small House on the town land near the west meeting house 
for the people to repair to on the Sabbath day." There may 
have been other similar buildings erected near. They were 
intended as a convenient resort for the people, during the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 357 

interval between services on Sunday, for the purpose of 
warming themselves and eating their dinners. 

May IT, 1773, the town chose a committee " to consider 
and report what is proper to be done in order to suppress 
that set of men in this town, who make it their business to 
trade with and cheat strangers." The committee reported 
as follows : — 

" That for the benefit of the public, the names and char- 
acter of the persons belonging to and residing in Sudbury 
hereafter named .... are persons who go about the country 
and cheat honest men by purchasing their horses, cattle and 
other effects, by telling fair stories, and promising short pay, 
should be published in the several newspapers, that the 
Public may be cautioned against trading with or trusting 
them on any account." 

The town accepted of the report, and chose a committee 
to find out the persons who aided and assisted in the work, 
" by purchasing the horses and cattle &c at a low price 
which they know are obtained in such a clandestine way 
and manner, that their names may be exposed in like man- 
ner. Also voted, that the town Clerk send an attest copy 
to the several Printers in the town of Boston, to be printed 
for the benefit of the public." 



CHAPTER XX. 

1775-1800. 

War of the Revolution. — Causes of It. — Attitude of the Town Relative 
to the Stamp Act. — Instructions to the Representative Concerning 
It. — Report of the Committee Relative to the Importation of Tea. — 
Patriotic Resolutions of the Town. — Instructions to its Represen- 
tatives. — An Old Document Descriptive of the Times. — Military 
Preparations. — Choice of Militia Officers. — Organization of Minute 
Companies. — Names and Captains of Companies. — Muster Rolls. — 
Equipments. — Drill. — Call Roll of Captain Nixon's Company. — 
Military Stores Removed to Sudbury. — The Alarm. — The Muster- 
ing and March. — The Arrival at Concord. — The Encounter at the 
North Bridge. — Retreat of the British. — The Pursuit. — Encounter 
at Merriam's Corner. — At Hardy's Hill. — Incident. — Sudbury's 
Loss. — Sketch of Deacon Josiah Haynes. — Sketch of Mr. Asahel 
Read. 

Far as the tempest thrills 

Over the darken'd hills, 
Far as the sunshine streams over the plain, 

Roused by the tyrant band, 

Woke all the mighty land, 
Girded for battle from mountain to main. 

O. W. Holmes. 

The period from 1775 to 1800, in this country, may truly 
be termed the period of the Revolution. It witnessed the 
commencement and close of armed opposition to the British 
Crown, and the establishment, in America, of a new nation- 
ality. In the work of overthrowing the old and establishing 
a new government, the several provincial towns had a 
common concern ; each supplied its quota and each stood 
ready to respond to the country's call. Sudbury, on account 
of its situation and size, bore a prominent part. It was the 
most populous town in Middlesex County ; its territory was 
extensive, and for a time in close proximity to the seat of 

358 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 359 

war: for these reasons, much was expected of it, and its 
patriotism was equal to the demand. Before a consideration 
in detail of the part taken by the town in this stormy 
period we will notice in brief the causes of the war. The 
thirteen original States were, for the most part, settled by 
English emigrants. They loved the mother country, its 
institutions and laws, and had no desire to throw off alle- 
giance so long as England respected their rights. The two 
countries had stood together on the fields of successive wars, 
they had things in common to be shared and kept, — one 
language set forth their traditions, one literature contained 
their history and laws. It was natural and desirable that 
they should have but one flag and sustain one general gov- 
ernment. But causes worked to alienate and bring about 
a final rupture. The colonies were oppressed with excessive 
taxation, denied the rights of their ancient charters, refused 
representation in council and the right of petition at court. 
Misguided and rash officials were placed in their midst, and 
they were subject, in various other obnoxious ways, to checks 
on their peace and prosperity. 

Before hostilities broke out, protests -were repeatedly pre- 
sented to the Crown against its despotic proceedings; but 
the colonies had little hope of English concession, hence, 
great activity prevailed in council, and the people prepared 
to meet the worst. Resolutions were passed, and such plans 
laid for aggressive and defensive measures as the exigencies 
of the province required. In these measures Sudbury had 
her share. The town was usually present, by delegates, in 
response to all calls, and her vote was stanch for the conti- 
nental cause. In 1770, the people manifested their hearty 
appreciation of the agreement of merchants in Boston " to 
stop the importation of British goods, and engaged for them- 
selves and all within their influence, to countenance and 
encourage the same." At an early day, they chose a com- 
mittee to prepare and present instructions to Peter Noyes, 
Representative to the General Court, in regard to the Stamp 
Act, which set forth their opinions very strongly concerning 
that petty piece of tyranny. Record after record appears on 
the Town Book, of resolutions and acts that show how posi- 



360 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

tive the people were in their patriotism, and how pronounced 
they were in declaring it. These are of such a character 
that to give a few of them will suffice. 

177:?. The Town being met, the committee appointed by the town 
to take into consideration the affair relating to the Tea sent here by the 
East India Company, reported as follows, viz." — 

Taking into Consideration the late Conduct of administration, to- 
gether with an act of Parliament enabling the East India Company to 
export their Teas unto America Free of all. Duties and Customs, Regu- 
lations and penalties in America as are provided by the revenue Act; 
we are justly alarmed at this Detestable Craft and Policy of the Min- 
istry to deprive us of our American Liberties Transmitted to us by our 
Worthy Ancestors, at no less expense than that of their Blood and 
Treasure. That price our Renowned Forefathers freely paid, that they 
might transmit those Glorious Liberties as a free, full, and fair inher- 
itance to Posterity, which liberties through the Indulgent. Smiles of 
Heaven, we have'possessed in peace and Quietness, till within a few 
years Past (Excepting in the reign of the Detestable Stewarts) but now 
Behold! the pleasing scene is changed, the British ministry, assisted 
by the Inveterate Enemies to American Liberty on this as well as on 
the other side of the Atlantick, Combining together to Rob us of our 
dear Bought freedom; have Brought us to this sad Dilemma, either to 
resolve like men in defense of our just Rights and Liberties, or sink 
under the weight of their Arbitrary and unconstitutional measures into 
a State of abject Slavery. Therefore as Freeborn Americans Intitled 
to all the immunities, Liberties and Privileges of Freeborn Englishmen, 
we look upon ourselves under the Strongest Obligations to use our 
utmost Exertions in defense of our just Rights in every constitutional 
method within our Power, Even though the Cost of the Defense should 
equal that of the purchase. Therefore resolved 

L< That as we are entitled to all the Privileges of British Subjects, 
we have an undoubted and exclusive Right to Grant our own monies 
for the support of Government and that no Power on Earth has a right 
to Tax or make Laws binding us, without our consent. 

2dly That the British Parliament laying a Duty on Tea Payable in 
America, for the express purpose of Raising a Revenue, is in our 
opinion an unjust Taxation, and that the specious method of permitting 
the East India Company to export their Teas into the Colonies, has a 
direct tendency to rivet the Chain of Slavery upon us. 

3dly. That we will lend all the aid and assistance in our Power in 
every Rational Method, to hinder the Importations of Teas, so long as 
it is subject to a duty; and that this Town are well pleased with, and 
highly approve of that Resolution in particular entered into by the 
Town of Boston, viz that they will not suffer any Tea to be imported 
into that Town while subject to an unrighteous Duty; and it is the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 361 

desire and expectation of this Town that said resolution be not relaxed 
in any Degree; which if it should it would much lesson that confidence 
(which we hope we may justly say) we have reason to place in that 
respectable metropolis 

4«iiy That the Persons appointed by the East India Company to 
receive and vend their Teas (by their obstinate refusal to resign their 
odious Commission) have shown a ready disposition to become the 
Tools of our Enemies, to oppress and enslave their Native Country, and 
have manifested such stupidity and wickedness to prefer private Inter- 
est to the good of their Country, and therefore can expect no favor or 
respect from us ; but we leave them to accumulate a load of Infamy, 
proportionate to their vileness. 

5 a That whoever shall sell, buy, or otherwise use Tea, while sub- 
ject to and poisened with a Duty, shall be deemed by us Enemies to 
their Country's welfare ; and shall be treated by us as such. The Town 
by their Vote Ordered the foregoing resolves to be recorded in the 
Town Book, and a Copy of the same to be forwarded to the Committee 
of Correspondence at Boston, with our sincere thanks to that Respect- 
able Town, for their Manly Opposition to every minsterial measure to 
enslave America. 

Thomas Plympton, Ezekiel Howe, John Maynard } 
Sampson Belcher, Phinehas Glezen, Josiah Langdon f 

With like spirit the town expressed itself in the following 
instructions to Peter Noyes, its Representative to the Court : 

Sir, you being chosen by the inhabitants of this town to represent 
them in the Great and General Court or Assembly of their Province, 
we think proper at this critical Day, when our invaluable rights and 
privileges are so openly invaded to give you the following instructions. 

That you invariably adhere to and steadfastly maintain (so far as you 
are able) all our Charter Rights and Priveleges and that you do [not] 
consent to give them or any of them up, on any pretense whatever. 
That you make use of all your influence, that some effective method be 
devised and pursued for the restoration of our violated rights and 
redress of all our grievances. That you use your endeavors that the 
Governor be prevailed upon to make a grant for the payment of our 
agent chosen by the Representative body of the Province to present 
our complaint to the ears of our King 

John Maynard. "| 

Sampson Belcher. I 

John Balcom. ! 

,,,„ -or c Committee. 

W m Rice, Jr. 

Phineas Gleason. j 

Aaron Merriam. J 



362 History of sudbury. 

Nov. 14, 1774, the town voted " their approbation of the 
several measures of the Provincial Congress so far as has 
been communicated to them." It also voted, at the same 
meeting, " to choose a committee to observe the conduct of 
all persons touching the association agreement entered into 
by the Continental Congress, whose business it shall be to 
see the articles contained therein are strictly adhered to by 
the inhabitants of this town." 

In 1774, the town chose Thomas Plympton, Capt. Richard 
Heard, and James Mossman to represent it at the proposed 
Provincial Congress. The records just quoted are a few 
from many that show the fidelity of Sudbury to the great 
cause of freedom in those tumultuous times. It was decided 
as to the true principle of action, and equally prompt and 
consistent in carrying it out. Enough has been said to show 
the town's place in that preparatory period that led to the 
clash of arms ; but we will quote a paper written by a Revo- 
lutionary soldier of Sudbury, which shows the spirit of the 
age and gives a synopsis of events and the way in which 
they were viewed by one living in town at the time of their 
occurrence ; and although, in presenting this paper, we may 
anticipate some of the events we are about to narrate, yet 
we think it proper to do this, rather than make a break in a 
paper so valuable both to local and general history. 

" The Causes that led the Colonies to Take up armes 
Against the Mother Country is proper to be Shown To 
Prove the Necessity the Colonies were under to resist the 
oppressive Measures which the Colonies were laid under; 
namely the stamp act; on the Stamp act Being Repaled, an 
act called the Declaritory act, more oppressive and Hostile 
to American Rights than any thing that had Preceded it. 
A Cargo of Tea was consigned To the Friends of the Royal 
Governor Hutchinson with a duty [of] three pence on a 
pound, but the inhabitants of Massachusetts [being] Deter- 
mined nut to pay that Duty, a Party of men. in Disguise 
Entered on bord the Ships and Destroyed Three Hundred 
and Forty Two Chests of Tea. After these proceedings 
were received in England The Excitement was very strong 



HISTOEY OF SUDBURY. 363 

against Massachusetts and Particularly against Boston, 
which was considered The seat of Rebellion. A Bill was 
then Brought forward that was called the Boston Port Bill ; 
the Port of Boston was Precluded the Privelege of Landing 
and Discharging or Loading and Shiping goods. The words 
Whigs and Tories was introduced about this Time. To the 
Honor of Sudbury there was Not any of the latter Class to 
be found within the limits [of] Sudbury. 

" The People were Carfull to Promote men that were 
Strongly opposed to British Tireny. The Town of Boston 
Passed a vote to stop all importation from Great Britain and 
the West Indies. 

" Requesting the other Colonies to fall in with the same 
Resolve, Many of the inhabitants of . . . signed a Resolve 
not to buy any imported goods. Most Noted Men in Boston 
that took the lead . . . were James Otis John Hancock 
and Samuel Adams ; in September 1774 Ninty of the Rep- 
resentatives of Massachusetts Met at Salem and formed 
What was Called the Provincial Congress and adjourned to 
Concord. Here they chose John Hancock President, and 
drew up a Plan for the immediate Defense of the Province 
By appointing officers, also Pased a Resolve to get in 
Readiness to Compose an Army at the shortest Notis and 
called Minute men. The minute company in Sudbury was 
commanded by Capt John Nixon afterwards General, the 
North Melitia Company was commanded [by] Capt. Aaron 
Haynes The South By Capt. Moses Stone, the orders were 
for Every man to be supplied with a Gun and Bagnet 
Cartrege Box and 36 Rounds, our .Guns to [be] Kept in 
Good Repair. The men that were freed by E g e from doing 
Militory Duty formed themselves into a Company Called the 
Alarm Company Commanded by Capt. Jabez Puffer. Train- 
ings were as often as once a week the three fall months, in 
the winter Not so often. The young Men In the Winter 
months made a Practis of calling on their officers Evenings 
and going through the Manual Exercise In Barn Flours. I 
have exercised many a Night With my Mittens on. Such 
was the Patriotic sperit that Reigned in the Brest of Every 
True American Never to stain the Glory of our worthy 



364 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Ancestors but like them Resolve never to part with our 
birthright. To be wise in our deliberations and determined 
in our Exertions for the preservation of our libertys, being 
Irritated by Repeated Injuries and Striped of our inborn 
rights and dearest Priveleges; The Present Generation may 
view those Transactions with surprise ; every Rational mind 
must feel satisfied of the overruling hand of Providence. 
To bring about the great event here we must Cast our Eyes 
on the Father of Mercies with a full belief that He would 
Make his arm beare For us as he did for our Ancestors 
that we should be Enabled to Defend and Maintain our 
Rights Boath of a Civil and Religious Nature. With these 
impressions Strongly impressed in their Hearts on the morn- 
ing of [the] Ever Memorable 19 th of April 1775 Husbands 
left their wifes and Fathers their daughters Sones their 
Mothers Brothers their Sisters to Meet a Haughty Foe. 

" On this eventful morning an Express From Concord to 
Tho s Plympton Esq 1 ' who was then a Member of the Pro- 
vintial Congress [stated] that the British were on their way 
. to Concord : In 35 Minites between 4 and 5 oclock in the 
Morning, the Sexton was immadelly Called on, the bell 
Ringing and the Discharge of Musket which was to give the 
alarm. By sunrise the greatest part of the inhabitants were 
Notified. The morning was Remarkable fine and the Inhab- 
itants of Sudbury Never can make such an important appear- 
ance Probably again. Every Countenance appeared to 
Discover the importance of the event. Sudbury Companies 
were but a short distance From the North Bridg, when the 
first opposition was made to the Haughty Enemy. The 
Dye was Cast and the Torch Lit by which means we Have 
Becom an independent Nation, and may the present gener- 
ation and those unborn, preserve unimpaired the Libertys. 
sivel and Religious so long as Time Endures — 

"On the 19 of April, I was Runing across a Lot where 
there was a bend in [the] Road in order to get a Fair Shot, 
at the Enemy, in company with a Scotchman who was in 
Braddock's Defeat 19 year Before, after we had Discharged 
our Guns I observed to the Sc<> 1 who appeared very Com- 




THE COMMON. 

Unitarian Church, Town House and Methodist Church, 

Sudbury Centre. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 365 

posed I wished I felt as Calm as he appeared to be — [He 
said] its a Tread to be Larnt, 

" Before I served through one Campain I Found the Scots 
Remark to be a just one — 

" The old soldiers Name is John Weighton He informed 
me he had been in seven Battles and this Eight." (Stearns 
Collection.) 

MILITARY PREPARATIONS. 

Nov. 14, 1774, " it was voted, that the town recommend 
to the several companies of militia to meet for the choice of 
officers for their respective companies, as recommended by the 
Provincial Congress. Also voted, that a company of militia 
on the East side, meet on Thursday next at twelve o'clock at 
the East meeting house in Sudbury, to choose their officers ; 
and that the companies on the West side to meet at the West 
meeting house at the same time and for the same purpose." 

Besides looking after the militia, the town took measures 
to form companies of minute men. These, as the name 
implies, were to hold themselves in readiness to act at a 
minute's warning. The officers received no commissions, 
but held their positions by vote of the men. Two such 
companies were formed, one on each side of the river. 
There was also a troop of horse composed of men from both 
precincts. Besides these companies of able-bodied men, there 
was an alarm company composed of men exempt from mili- 
tary service. The names of the companies were, — 

North Militia Co. West Side, Capt. Aaron Haynes 60 men 

East Militia Co. East Side. Capt. Joseph Smith, 75 men 

South Militia Co. (Lanham District) both Sides. Capt. Moses Stone 92 men. 

Troop of Horse. Both Sides. Capt. Isaac Loker. 21 men. 

Minute Co. West Side. Capt. John Nixon. 58 men 

Minute Co. East Side. Capt. Nathaniel Cudworth. 40 men. 

These make, besides the alarm list of Jabez Puffer, six com- 
panies — three hundred and forty-eight men — in process of 
preparation for the coming struggle. 

The muster rolls of these companies, as present at the 
Concord and Lexington battle, have for the most part been 



366 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

preserved, and are here given as found in State and town 
documents. They may not, in every case, give the names 
of all who were on the rolls of either militia or minute men 
in 1774 ; and they may also contain names which were not 
properly of the companies in whose rolls they stand. But 
this may be explained by the fact that these rolls represent 
those who were in the Lexington and Concord fight, and 
that the alarm company and troop were mingled with other 
companies of the town on that memorable day. 

A muster Roll of Militia Company and part of an Alarm Company 
that marched to Cambridge by Concord on the Alarm on the nineteenth 
of April last under the command of Capt, Aaron Haynes of Sudbury 
and returning home. 

Aaron Haynes Capt, Thomas Puffer 

Daniel Bowker Lieut, - Rufus Parmenter 

James Puffer Lieut, . James 

Joshua Haynes Sergt, Ebenezer Plympton 

Samuel Dakin " Abel Tower 

Samuel Puffer " Francis Green 

Jonathan Haynes " Jason Haynes 

Benjamin Smith Corp. Joseph Haynes 

Ashael Balcom " Israel Brigham 

Hope Brown " Abel Willis 

Ithamon Rice " Isaac Rice 

Phineas Puffer, Clark John Bemis 

Aaron Haynes Moses Noyes 

Abel Maynard, Private David Moore 

Micah Maynard Abijah Brigham 

John Maynard Israel Haynes 

Jonas Haynes Edmund Parmenter 

Isaac Puffer Henry Smith 

Oliver Dakin Dea Thomas Plympton 

Silas How L'eut Dakin 

Sworn to by Capt. Aaron Haynes, Jan. 20, 177G 

A muster roll of the Company under the Command of Capt. Joseph 
Smith, in Col. James Barret's Regiment from Sudbury on April 
19 th 1775, in persuit of the ministerial Troops 

Capt, Joseph Smith Isaac Damon 
Lieut, Josiah Farrar John Tilton Jr. 
Lieut, Ephraim Smith John Cutting 
Ensign Timothy Underwood Samuel Tilton Jr, 
Sergeant William Bent Amos Addaway 
Sergeant Samuel Griffin Travis 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



367 



Sergeant Robert Cutting 
Sergeant John Bruce 
Corporal Samuel Tilton 
Corporal Nathaniel Smith 
Corporal Peter Johnson 
Corporal John Merriam 
Drumer Thomas Trask 
Edmund Sharman 
Timothy Bent 
Micah Rice 
Isaac Gould 
John Barney- 
Jacob Gould 
Benjaman Dudley 
Zachariah Briant Jr, 
Ebenezer Johnson 
Jonathan Bent 
Simon Belcher 
Joel Stone 



Roland Bennett 
Isaac Stone 
John Stone 
Isaac Rice Jr, 
William Dudley 
John Peter 
Francis Jones 
James Sharmon 
Samuel Sharmon 
Joseph Goodenow 
Josiah Allen 
Elisha Cutting 
John Dean 
James Goodenow 
Ephraim Bowker, 
Jonathan Cutting 
James Davis 
Jason Parmenter 



Middlesex Dec 21 st 1775, The above named Joseph Smith made 
solemn oath to the truth of the above roll, Before me, Moses Gill> 
Justice Peace. 



These Certify that the 
ye 19th f April last to 
Col° How of Sudbury and 

Moses Stone Cap' 
Jon a Rice L' 
Joseph Goodenow 2 
Joseph Moore Serg' 
Ephr m Carter Corp 1 
David How 
Benj a Berry 
Jon a Carter 
Elijah Goodnow 
David How 
Ezek 1 How jr. 
Jonas Wheeler 
Isaac Lincoln 

The abov 
Peter Haynes 
U Elisha Wheeler 
Aaron Goodnow 
Thomas Walker 
Eben r Burbank 

The abov 



mens names hereafter annex'd marched on 
Head O ra we being under Command of Lt 
Moses Stone Cap 

Tho* Ames 
Thomas Burbank 
Lt. Nath 1 Bryant 

Israel Maynard 
Tho s Carr jun r 
Isaac Moore 
Uriah Moore 
Abner Walker 
W m Walker 
Abel Parmenter 
Dan 1 Osburn 
Tho s Derumple 

e named were out four days. 

Tho 8 Derumple 

Nath 1 Brown 

Uriah Hayden 

Israel Willis 

Calven Clark 
e named were out three days. 



868 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



Province of the Massachusetts D r to Isaac Locker and the men 
under me by name in y e Colony for service done in defence of the 
Country on y c 19 th day of April to y e 21 8t of the same when the alarm at 
Concord, agreable to the General Courts Order — made up this Acco 1 

Tim Sharmon 
Dan 1 Moore J r 
David Curtis 



Isaac Locker 
U Oliver Noyes 
O r M r Ja 8 Puffer 
Corp 1 Ja" Noyes 
Corp Jesse Gibbs 
Corp 1 Abel Smith 
Da 1 Woo d Moore 
Eph Moore 
Jonas Wheeler 
Jesse Mossman 
Rufus Bent 
Jason Bent 
VV Wyman 
Jo s Rutter 
W ni Noyes 



Zach h Heard 
Jacob Jones 
Nath 1 Knovvlton 
Jonas Rice 
Nathan Stearns 
Micah Greaves 
Nath' Jenison 
Steph n Locker 
Asaph Travis 
Jonas Locker 
Simon Newton 
David Heard 



A List of a Company of Minute Men under the command of Capt. 

John Nixon, in Col Abijah Pierce's Regiment who entered the service 

April 19 th 1775 

David Moore Lieut Abel Holden " 

Ashael Wheeler 2 a Lieut Hopestill Brown Corp. 

Micah Goodnow Sergt Jesse Moore " 

Elijah Willis " Uriah Wheeler 

Jeremiah Robbins " William Moore 



PRIVATES. 



Joseph Balcom 
Philemon Brown 
Samuel Brigham 
Samuel Cutting 
Asher Cutler 
William Dun 
Aaron Ames 
Robert Ames 
Eliab Moore 
Uriah Moore 
Isaac Moore 
John Moore 
Josiah Richardson 
Nathan Read 
Charles Rice 
James Rice 
Ezra Smith 



Rueben Haynes 
Joshua Haynes 
Caleb Wheeler 
John Weighten 
Simon Kingman 
Israel Willis 
Hopestill Willis 
Ebenezer Wood 
Jonas Holden 
Elisha Wheeler 
Daniel Loring 
Thadeus Moore 
William Maynard 
Daniel Maynard 
John Shirley 
Peter Smith 
Abraham Thompson 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 369 

Samuel Gleason Daniel Weight 

Thomas Goodenow Nathaniel Rice 

Jesse Goodenow Daniel Putman 

William Goodenow Micah Grant 

Sworn to by Lt. Asahel Wheeler, Feb. 3, 1776. 

A muster Role of the Minute Company under the command of Capt. 
Nathaniel Cudworth in Col. Abijah Pierce's Regiment. 

Nathaniel Cudworth Capt. Samuel Pollard 

Thadeus Russel, Lieut. Daniel Rice 

Nathaniel Maynard Ensign Samuel Whitney 

Nathaniel Reeves Sergent Benjamin Adams 

Jonathan Hoar " Samuel Curtis 

Caleb Moulton " Richard Heard Jr 

Thomas Rutter " Samuel Bent 

Joseph Willington Corp. Samuel Haynes 

Thadeus Bond " Joseph Nicolls 

David Clough " William Grout 

Joshua Kendall " Samuel Merriam 

John Trask Drummer David Underwood 

Phineas Gleason Private Naum Dudley 

Ebenezer Dudley James Phillips 

John Noyes Jr Edmund Rice Jr. 

Timothy Underwood Nathaniel Parmenter 

Peter Britnell David Damon 

Zebediah Farrar David Rice 

Jonathan Parmenter Jr Edward How 

Jonathan Wesson Timothy Shannon 

Sworn to by Nathaniel Cudworth, Feb. 21, 1776. 

In 1776, the town " voted to pay each of the minute men 
one shilling and sixpence for training one half day in a week, 
4 hours to be esteemed a half day, after they were enlisted 
and until called into actual service or dismissed ; and the 
Captains 3 shilling and Lieutenants 2 shillings and six pence 
and the ensign 2 shillings." 

The foregoing muster rolls represent about one-fifth of 
the entire population. The number in actual service at the 
Concord and Lexington tight three hundred and two. The 
following report shows to what extent these companies were 
equipt. 



370 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

" Sudbury March y e 27 th 1775 : 

" The Return of the Severall Companys of Militia and 
Minute in s d Town viz. 

tk Capt. Moses Stone's Company — 92 men of them, 18 no 
guns, at Least one third part y e forelocks unfit for Sarvis 
others wais un a quipt. 

" Capt. Aaron Hayns Company — 60 men weel provided 
With Arms the most of them Provided with Bayonets or 
hatchets a boute one quarter Part with Catrige Boxes. 

" Capt. Joseph Smith's Company consisting of 

75 able Bodied men forty well a quipt twenty Promis to 
find and a quip themselves Emedetly fifteen no guns and 
other wais un a quipt 

" The Troop Capt. Isaac Locer (Loker) — 21 Besides 
what are on the minit Role well a quipt. 

« Returned by Ezekiel How. Left" Con 1 " (Steams 
Collection.) 

It is not strange that, at the time this report was given, 
the troops had not been fully equipped. It was not easy to 
provide for so many at once, but the following record may 
indicate that the town had been endeavoring to supply the 
deficiency since the preceding fall, Oct. 3, 1774. 

To Capt. Ezekiel How for 20 guns and Bayonets 27— 0— 2 
600 pounds Lead 8—16— 

300 french Flynts [9 or] 19— —11 

Chest for the arms and carting them 7 — 2 — 2 

Probably before the 19th of April they were fairly 
equipped for service, as there is among the town papers a 
bill to one of the minute companies for ammunition that the 
town had supplied. Each man mentioned had, for the most 
part, received about a pound of powder and two pounds of 
balls for which a charge was made of one pound, one shilling. 

In the matter of military drill, the men showed a spirit of 
perseverance which indicates their expectation of rough 
work. It was by no dress parade or review on some gala 
occasion when, with burnished muskets and uniforms gay 
and bright, they became proficient in the art of defence, but 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 371 

on the cold barn floor in their homespun suits, with the mute 
cattle their only spectators, that these men were fitting for 
work, and zeal for their object was the tocsin that mustered 
the clan. To show the regularity with which the minute 
men met for drill as the crisis approached, we will present 
Capt. John Nixon's minute company's call roll, which is still 
preserved among the old documents of Sudbury. We find 
in it but six blanks ; showing an average of only one absentee 
each night. We might expect that, when the call of the 19th 
of April came, these men would be present and ready for 
work. 

A Call Roll of Capt Jn° Nixon's Company of Minut Men. They 
Inlisted March y e 13 th 

March ye March March April 3 April ye Do ye 17th 
13th 1775 ye 20 ye 27 10th 

Jn° Nixon Capt. 11111 

David Moor Lieut. 1 1 1 1 1 

Asehel Wheeler Do 111 11 

Josiah Langdon Clarke 1111 

Micah Goodenow Serg 4 1 1 1 1 

August 5 Moor D° 111 1 

Elijah Willis D° 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Jerem h Robbins D° 11111 

Hope 1 Brown Corp 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Jesse Moor D° 11111 

Uriah Wheeler D° 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Will m Moor D° 111111 

Diniel Putnam Drum 11111 

Caleb Brown Phiffe 111111 

Joseph Nixon D° 11111 

Joseph Balcum 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Phil n Brown 111111 

Sam 1 Brigham 111111 

Hosea Brigham 111 

Sam 1 Cutting I 1 1 1 1 

Asher Cutler 111111 

W ra Dun 111111 

Aaron Ernes Jr. 11111 

Robert Ernes 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Dan 1 Goodenow 1 i 1 1 

Sam 1 Gleason 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Tho s Goodenow 1111 

Jesse Goodenow 111 

W m Goodenow 111111 



372 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 





March ve 
18th 1775 


March 
yc20 


March 
ye 2" 


April 3 


April ye 
10th 


Do ye 


Reuben Haynes 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


I 


Joshua Haynes 
Jonas Holden Jr 


1 
1 


1 
1 


1 

1 


1 
1 


1 
1 


1 

1 


Abel Holden 


1 


1 


1 


1 


I 


1 


Simeon Ingersol 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Daniel Loring 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Thadeus Moor 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


W m Maynard 
Daniel Maynard 
Hezekiah Moor 


1 
1 

1 


1 
1 

1 


1 
1 

1 


1 
1 
1 


1 
1 
1 


1 
1 
1 


Eliab Moor 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Uriah Moor 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Isaac Moor Jr. 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


John Moor 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Josiah Richardson 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Nathaniel Reed 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Charles Rice 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Oliver Rice 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Jonas Rice 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Asahel Reed 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Ezra Smith 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


John Sheirley 
Peter Smith 


1 
1 


1 
1 


1 
1 


1 
1 


1 
1 


1 
1 


Abel Thomson 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Daniel Weight 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Caleb Wheeler 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


John Weighton 
Elisha Wheeler 


1 
1 


1 

1 


1 

1 


1 

1 


I 


1 
1 


Israel Willis 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Hopestil Willis 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


Ebenezer Wood 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 



It was becoming more and more evident that a collision 
with the King's forces was close at hand. A considerable 
quantity of Continental supplies had been deposited at Con- 
cord ; there also was a centre of strong patriotic influence ; 
at that place, therefore, the blow was liable to fall first. 
March 29, a report came that the British were about to 
proceed to that place. The Committee of Safety for the 
Province met at Cambridge, and ordered the removal there- 
from of stores. The order was carried out and the stores 
sent in several directions. To Sudbury were sent fifty 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 373 

barrels of beef, one hundred of flour, twenty casks of rice, 
fifteen hogsheads of molasses, ten hogsheads of rum, and five 
hundred candles, fifteen thousand canteens, fifteen thousand 
iron pots ; the spades, pickaxes, bill-hooks, axes, hatchets, 
crows, wheel-barrows, and several other articles were to be 
divided, one-third to remain in Concord, one-third to be sent 
to Sudbury, one-third to Stow, and one thousand iron pots 
were to be sent to Worcester. (Shattuck.) 

The rumor at this time proved false, yet a little later the 
event came about. General Gage, who was stationed in 
Boston as Commander-in-chief of the British troops, took 
measures to send a detachment to Concord for the destruc- 
tion of Continental stores. For the accomplishment of this 
purpose he sent out spies to examine the land. Two of 
these secret messengers, Captain Brown and Ensign D'Ber- 
nicre, went to Worcester in February, and to Concord, March 
20. . They went by way of Weston and Sudbury, stopping 
in the former town at the Jones Tavern, which still stands 
on the main street of Weston, and passed through East 
Sudbury by way of the South bridge. Having received the 
report of these spies, the British prepared to advance. 
General Gage detached eight hundred of light infantry, 
orenadiers and marines from the ten regiments under his 
command, and, on pretence of instructing them in a new 
military exercise, took them from regular duty on April 15. 
His plan was for the troops to cross Charles River by night, 
and at daybreak be far on their way toward Concord and 
thus take the place by surprise. But there were those who 
were watching his wary course, and a sly, swift courier was 
to precede him on his way. A previous arrangement had 
been made by which a lantern was to be displayed in the 
belfry of the old North Church when the British began their 
march. Paul Revere, at the signal, was to start with the 
news and proclaim it from place to place. About that 
messenger, his mission, his midnight ride, it is unnecessary 
for us to relate. The oft-told tale is very familiar, how Paul 
Revere went forth and " spread the alarm through every 
Middlesex village and farm." 



374 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



THE MUSTERING AND MARCH. 

The news thus started by Paul Revere readied Sudbury 
between three and four o'clock in the morning. As the 
town is eight miles southwestward of Concord, intelligence 
of the approaching column was received later than at towns 
on the Boston and Concord highway. But, notwithstanding 
the distance, the sun was not yet arisen when the summons 
arrived in town, and then followed a scene of activity un- 
paralleled in the annals of Sudbury. The course taken by 
the various companies to reach Concord was, probably, not 
the same, as they started from different parts of the town. 
Two companies from the West Side — the minute company 
and the North Militia — would go by the road through North 
Sudbury, while the East Side men would, most likely, go by 
way of Lincoln. Captain Nixon's company started from the 
West Side meeting-house. The companies of Nixon and 
Haynes designed to cross the Concord River by way of the 
old" South bridge, or "Wood's bridge," on the site ^ of 
the county bridge near the Fitchburg Railroad. From doing 
this, however, they were deterred by an order which reached 
them when about half a mile away, and by which they 
marched on to the North bridge. The appearance of this 
host of town's people, on an errand like that before them, 
must have been imposing and sad. The gathering and the 
start were enough of themselves to stir the idlest spectator, 
and move the most indifferent soul. The morning was 
peaceful and lovely. Nature was advanced for the season. 
The fields were green witli the grass and grain which even 
waved in the April breeze, and the buds were bursting, 
prophetic of early spring. But, in strange contrast, the 
souls of the people were stirred as if swept by a tempest. 
The appearance of that hurrying pageant as it swept through 
the town was at once solemn, strange, and sublime. Their 
haste was too great to admit of a measured or dignified pace. 
They were impatient to arrive at the front. Daniel Putnam 
maybe excused if no drum taps are heard save the "long 
roll" at the very start. Caleb Brown may put by his 
» Phiffe " until he hears from Luther Blanchard, at the old 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 375 

north bridge, the strains of "The White Cockade." The 
music of the morning was made by the quickened heart- 
throbbing in those patriotic breasts, as in double-quick they 
strode over the old north road to be on hand at the ap- 
proach of the foe. Along the route, mothers and children 
appeared, to catch a glimpse of the loved ones, who fast 
flying were soon lost to view. A kiss lovingly cast into the 
morning air,' the passing benediction of word or look, and 
the crowd rushed by. The loved ones were left to sad 
conjecture as to what the dread issue might be. We have 
heard a great-granddaughter of Captain Nixon say that she 
has been told by her grandmother that a messenger came at 
night to the house and said, " Up, up ! the red-coats are up 
as far as Concord ! " that Mr. Nixon at once started off on 
horseback, and that sometime during the day Mrs. Nixon 
went out of the house, which was on Nobscot hillside, and 
putting her ear to the ground could hear the sound of distant 
guns. 

The north militia and minute company, as we have stated, 
designed to reach Concord village by way of the old south 
bridge, but when about half a mile from it were ordered to 
proceed to the north bridge by Col. James Barrett, the 
commander of the minute regiment, whose son Stephen had 
been sent to convey the message to the approaching com- 
panies. By obeying this order, the Sudbury companies 
would join a force already assembled on the north side of 
the village, and also avoid speedy contact with the British 
guard that already held the south bridge. 

When the British arrived at Concord by way of the 
Lexington road, which leads from the easterly into the town, 
Colonel Smith, the commander, made a threefold division 
of his force of eight hundred men. The light infantry were 
sent in two detachments to guard the bridges and destroy 
the stores on the village outskirts, while the grenadiers and 
marines he detained with himself and Major Pitcairn at the 
centre. In the execution of this plan, Capt. Lawrence 
Parsons took possession of the north bridge, Capt. Mundy 
Pole did the same at the south bridge, and each sent 
detachments from their force to destroy Continental stores. 



376 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The Americans, meanwhile, were powerless to prevent this 
occurrence. As yet, but comparatively few Continental 
troops had arrived. It was only about seven or eight o'clock 
in the morning, and but a few hours since the general alarm. 
They knew not positively about the work at Lexington 
Common, nor that the British had come with a deadly intent, 
They wanted to know just what was right, and waited for 
strength to enforce the right; while thus waiting, they with- 
drew over the river beyond the north bridge. To this 
vicinity were the Sudbury men sent. But there was, at 
least on the part of one of the company, a reluctance 
to turn from their more direct course. They were in the 
country's highway, and this one person, perhaps, felt like 
Captain Davis of Acton, who before leaving that town said, 
kt I have a right to go to Concord on the King's highway, 
and I intend to go if I have to meet all the British troops in 
P.oston." The person referred to as reluctant to turn from 
his course was Deacon Josiah Haynes, who was eighty years 
old. It is stated that he was " urgent to attack the British 
at the south bridge, dislodge them, and march into the 
village by that route." Had his opinion prevailed, the 
battle might have been then and there, and the old south 
rather than the old north bridge have been the place of note 
forever. But the south bridge was avoided. In accordance 
with Colonel Barrett's command, Captains Nixon and Haynes 
with Lieut, Col. Ezekiel How started, as we have stated, for 
the old north bridge. 

When at the South bridge they were on the westerly side 
of Concord village, while the North bridge was a little to the 
north of east, Their way, therefore, was by something of a 
circuitous course ; and, to reach the point to which they 
were ordered, they were to pass the house of Colonel Barrett, 
a mile and a half north-west of the village, where Captain 
Parsons with three British companies were destroying Con- 
tinental stores. When the Sudbury soldiers came within 
sight of Colonel Barrett's house they came to a halt. Before 
them were the British engaged in their mischievous work. 
Gun carriages had been collected and piled together to be 
burned, the torch already had been applied, and the resi- 



HISTOEY OF SUDBURY. 377 

dence of their Colonel had been ransacked. They halted, 
and Colonel How exclaimed, " If any blood has been shed 
not one of the rascals shall escape ! " and, disguising him- 
self, he rode on to ascertain the truth. It was, probably, 
not far from nine o'clock when this event took place. This 
indicates the celerity with which the Sudbury troops had 
moved. From the morning alarm, by which the minute 
men met at the West Side meeting-house, until the fore- 
going transaction but about five hours had passed, and, 
meanwhile, the mustering, the march, the arrival. While 
the Regulars were engaged in their destructive work at 
Colonel Barrett's, the Provincials were concentrating their 
forces in preparation for what was to come. Their place of 
gathering was at Punkatasset Hill, about a mile north of the 
Concord meeting-house. While here, they increased their 
forces by repeated arrival of troops. Says Drake, " Mean- 
while," that is while the British were engaged at Colonel 
Barrett's, " the Provincials on Punkatasset were being con- 
stantly reinforced by the militia of Westford, Littleton, 
Acton, Sudbury, and other neighboring towns, until the 
whole body numbered about four hundred and fifty men, 
who betrayed feverish impatience at playing the part of idle 
lookers on while the town was being ransacked ; but, when 
flames were seen issuing in different directions, they could 
no longer be restrained. A hurried consultation took place, 
at the end of which it was determined to march into the 
town at all hazards, and if resisted to " treat their assailants 
as enemies." Colonel Barrett told the troops to advance. 
From Punkatasset they moved to Major Buttricks, but a 
short distance above the North bridge, and from Major 
Buttricks they marched to the bridge where the Americans 
and English met face to face. The circumstances at the 
bridge are too familiar to need any narration by us. The 
British attempted to remove the planks, a remonstrance was 
made and the work ceased. The Provincials advanced with 
rapid steps ; when a few rods away a single shot was fired 
by the foe, which was at once followed by a volley. The 
first shot wounded two of the Americans, and the volley 
killed two — Davis and Ilosmer of Acton. The order then 



378 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

came for the Provincials to tire. It was obeyed, and three 
British soldiers were slain, besides several officers and four 
soldiers wounded. Then came the retreat and pursuit. 
Whether or not the companies of Nixon and Ilaynes had 
joined the Provincials at Punkatasset when the command to 
move forward came, we leave the reader to judge for him- 
self. Drake implies that they had ; some circumstances may 
also favor this theory, for, after leaving Colonel Barrett's, 
they would likely hasten to join the main force, which was 
not far distant. But other things would lead us to conclude 
that they had not caught up with the column when it 
reached the bridge. 

Shattuek says, "Two companies from Sudbury under 
How, Nixon and Ilaynes came to Concord, and having 
received orders from a person stationed at the entrance of 
the town, for the purpose of a guide, to proceed to the North 
instead of the South Bridge, arrived near Col. Barrett's just 
before the British soldiers retreated." The same author, 
after speaking of what we have just narrated of Lieutenant- 
Colonel How, states, " Before proceeding far, the firing 
began at the Bridge, and the Sudbury companies pursued 
the retreating British."' From these statements and facts, 
we may infer this, — that these companies passed the British 
at Colonel Barrett's and pushed on to meet the force at the 
bridge, that before they joined it the foe made his attack 
and that they joined in the hot pursuit. This theory accords 
with the statement that we have quoted before, as made by 
a survivor of the fight, which is that "Sudbury Companies 
were but a short distance from the North Bridge when the 
first Opposition was made to the Haughty Enemy." 

Thus, to an extent, have we traced the course of two 
Sudbury companies during a part of that eventful day. As 
to the others, it is supposed they attacked the British at 
different points along the line of the retreat. The men who 
came from East Sudbury would, as we have hitherto said, 
be likely to march through Lincoln to Concord. If so, they 
would be likely to strike the British retreat; there it is that 
we hear of them. Two encounters, at least, are mentioned 
in which East Sudbury soldiers were engaged. To rightly 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 379 

understand how and where these engagements took place, 
let us notice the movements of the British after the events 
that transpired at the old North bridge. Having fired on 
the Americans as they approached the bridge from the oppo- 
site bank, by which fire two Acton minute men fell, and 
having received the Provincial fire in return, by which three 
of the English were slain, Lieutenant Gould of the regulars 
withdrew his shattered guard to the village. Three signal 
guns having been fired by the British just before their 
troops fired at the bridge, all the distant detachments came 
in. Captain Parsons hurried his companies from Colonel 
Barrett's to the old North bridge ; and, seeing the havoc that 
had been made with Gould's guard and their dead comrades 
upon the bank, " they were seized with a panic and ran with 
great speed to join the main force." Captain Pole with- 
drew his companies from the old South bridge, and then 
Colonel Smith began to retreat towards Boston. But it was 
not only a retreat but a rout. The battle at the bridge 
was but the beginning of aggressive work. The foe were 
followed and hard pushed from point to point. At the 
cross-roads they met fresh arrivals of Provincial troops. 
The stone walls and stumps were coverts from which they 
directed their fire. In addition to an almost continuous 
engagement, occasional encounters occurred which were 
exceptionally sharp and severe. In two of these severe 
encounters the soldiers from East Sudbury were engaged, — 
one at Merriam's Corner, the other at Hardy's Hill. 

The action at Merriam's Corner occurred at about half- 
past twelve. Three circumstances concurred to bring about 
and make severe this conflict. First, there was a junction 
of roads, the one from Bedford meeting that leading to 
Lexington along which the English marched. By this road 
had come reinforcements from Pveading, Chelmsford, Bed- 
ford and Billerica. To this point, also, had come some 
Provincials across the great fields in the direction of the 
old North bridge. Another circumstance that made the 
fight sharp was that here the British massed their forces 
because of the lay of the land. In their march from Con- 
cord, which was about a mile thus far, the British threw out 



380 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

a part of their infantry to serve as a guard to their flanks 
and to protect the main body as it marched on the road. 
These flankers moved along the dry upland on the right of 
the road, as it curves gently from Concord village, until 
they reached Merriam's Corner where they joined the troop- 
in the road, in order to avoid the moist land by the way- 
side, and pass the dry causeway to the highway beyond. 
As this flank guard thus joined the main force it gave the 
Provincials, who as wo have indicated were there gathered in 
force, an opportunity which they were not slow to make use 
of. They poured upon the regulars a destructive fire. 
" Now and here began," says Drake, " that long and ter- 
rible conflict unexampled in the Revolution for its duration 
and ferocity, which for fifteen miles tracked the march of the 
regular troops with their blood." A company from East 
Sudbury were in time for this second conflict. This, doubt- 
less, was the one commanded by Joseph Smith. Rev. Mr. 
Foster, an historian of 1775, says of this conflict : " Before 
we came to Merriam's Hill we discovered the enemy's flank 
guard of about eighty or a hundred men, who on the retreat 
from Concord kept the height of the land, the main body 
being in the road. The British troops and the Americans 
at that time were equally distant from Merriam's Corner. 
About twenty rods short of that place the Americans made 
a halt. The British marched down the hill with a very 
slow but steady step without a word being spoken that could 
be heard. Silence reigned on both sides. As soon as the 
British gained the main road and passed a small bridge near 
the common, they faced about suddenly, and fired a volley 
of musketry upon us. They overshot and no one to my 
knowledge was injured by the fire. The fire was immedi- 
ately returned by the Americans, and two British soldiers 
fell dead at a little distance from each other in the road near 
the brook. Several of the officers were wounded, including 
Ensign Lester." The other engagement in which the Sud- 
bury soldiers are especially noticed was at Hardy's Hill, a 
short distance beyond. One narrator has spoken of it as 
a spirited affair, where one of the Sudbury companies, 
Captain Cudworth, came up and vigorously attacked the 
enemy. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 381 

It is interesting that we can thus trace our soldiers and 
know so much of their whereabouts and what they did on 
that memorable day. An incident of the fight was related 
to the writer by the late Mr. Josiah Haynes when eighty- 
five years old. He said that his grandfather, Josiah Haynes, 
one of the militia of Sudbury at the Concord fight, captured 
a o-un from a British sergeant. The Briton was with a 
squad of soldiers a little removed from the main body, prob- 
ably a part of the flank guard before mentioned. Mr. 
Haynes lay concealed behind a stone Avail with some com- 
rades who soon left him alone. As the squad approached, 
he thought they were coming directly upon him, but, as the 
main body followed a curve in the road, the squad turned 
also. With this movement, Mr. Haynes placed his gun on 
the wall, and on firing the sergeant fell. Mr. Haynes 
sprang and seized the sergeant's gun and tried to tear off 
his belt and cartridge box, but these last he did not secure. 
The squad, but a few rods away, turned and fired. The 
balls whistled about him, but he escaped unhurt. It would 
be interesting to know more of the incidents and adventures 
of our soldiers on that April day, but time has made havoc 
with tradition and the records are scant. Years ago the 
last survivor of the Revolution died, and years before, they 
were scattered, many of them into other towns and other 
States. But the fragments of tradition that have floated 
down from that far-off period are all the more valuable 
because they are few. 

THE LOSS. 

During the day Sudbury sustained the loss of two men, 
Deacon Josiah Haynes and Asahel Reed. Joshua Haynes 
was wounded. Deacon Haynes was eighty years old. He 
was killed by a musket bullet at Lexington. He belonged 
to the old Haynes family of Sudbury, where his descend- 
ants still live. He was one of the original signers of the 
West Precinct Church Covenant, and was made deacon May 
24, 1733. He was buried in the Old Burying Ground, 
Sudbury Centre. The grave is marked by a simple slate 
stone. Mr. Asahel Reed was of Captain Nixon's minute 



382 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

men. His name is found on that company's call roll to 
which we have before referred ; it is left out after the battle, 
probably because after his death the name was stricken from 
the list. He belonged to the old Reed family of Sudbury, 
whose progenitor, Joseph Reed, settled at Lanham about 
1656. Probably he was also buried in the old ground at 
Sudbury Centre. Mrs. Joseph Reed, a member of the same 
family and grandmother of the writer, said many years ago 
that the body of Mr. Reed was brought to Sudbury. So, 
although no stone has been found which marks the grave, 
he doubtless rests somewhere in the old burying-ground at 
the centre, which was the only one at that time in the West 
Precinct. Joshua Ilaynes, who was wounded, may have 
been one of Captain Nixon's minute men or one of the 
militia of Captain Ilaynes. The same name is on each 
company's muster roll; but the one in the latter was ser- 
geant while the one wounded is mentioned without any title. 
Lieut. Elisha Wheeler, whose horse was shot under him, 
and Thomas Plympton, Esq., who had a bullet put through 
the fold of his coat, were both volunteers on horseback. 

After the fight the soldiers showed no undue haste to 
return, but some of them lingered from three days to a 
month to repel attack or serve their country in whatever 
way it might require ; and, when at length they returned to 
their homes, it was only, in the case of some of them, to bid 
the loved ones good-by and then go away again to engage 
the foe. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

1775-1800. 

Revolutionary War. — Sudbury Soldiers at Bunker Hill. — Muster Rolls 
of Captains Russell, Moore and Haynes. — Battle of Bunker Hill. — 
Position and Service of the Regiments of Colonels Nixon and Brewer. 

— Number of Casualties. — The Siege of Boston. — List of Men in 
Two Months Service. — List of Men in Colonel Whitney's Regiment. 

— Government Storehouses at Sand Hill. — Service outside the 
State. — List of Officers in Sudbury Companies in 1776. — List of 
Men in Capt. Aaron Haynes's Company.— Men in Captain Wheeler's 
Company at Ticonderoga ; in Colonel Robinson's Regiment, in Colonel 
Read's Regiment. — Supplementary List. — Soldiers at Ticonderoga 
in 177G; in Captain Wheeler's Company, Captain Craft's Company, 
Cap'ain EdgelPs Company, Captain Aaron Haynes's Company. — 
Canada Campaign. — New York Campaign. — Men Enlisted for 
Three Years in 1777. — Guard Roll. — Pay Roll. — List of Two 
Months Men in 1777. — List of Three Months Men in 1777. — 
Names of Sudbury Captains and Companies in the Field in 1778. — 
Captain Maynard's Company. — Captain Wheeler's Company. — 
Captain Moulton's Company. — Captain Haynes's Company. — Cap- 
tain Bowker's Company. — Prices Paid for Enlistment in 1780. 

Few were the numbers she could boast ; 
' But every freeman was a host, 
And felt as though himself were he 
On whose sole arm hung victory. 

Montgomery. 

Sudbury was represented by three companies at the battle 
of Bunker Hill. These were commanded by Sudbury cap- 
tains and made up mainly of Sudbury citizens. The town 
also furnished three regimental officers, — Col. John Nixon, 
Major Nathaniel Cudworth and Adj. Abel Holden, Jr. 
Capt. John Nixon of the minute men was promoted to the 
rank of colonel, and was authorized, April 27, to receive 
nine sets of beating papers. Capt. Nathaniel Cudworth was 

383 



884 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



made major in the regiment of Col. Jonathan Brewer, who 
received enlistment papers April 24, and Abel Ilolden, Jr., 
was made Colonel Nixon's adjutant. The Sudbury men who 
served in these companies are as follows : — 

A list of Captain Russell's company in Colonel Brewer's 
regiment. 



Thaddeus Russel Capt. 
Nathan Tuckerman Lieut. 
Nathan Reeves Ens. 
Sergt Josiah Wellington 

" Thomas Rutter 

" Thad Bond 

Ephraim Allen 
Longley Bartlett 
Rolon Bennet 
Peter Brintnall 
Timothy Bent 
Samuel Curtis 
Edward Sorce [Vorce] 
Jacob Speen 
Ephram Sherman 
Samuel Tilton 
Asa Travis 
David Underwood 
Jonathan Wesson 
Lemuel Whitney 
Samuel Sherman 
Nahum Dudley 
Oliver Damon 



Corp. Joshua Kendall 
" David Rice 
" David Damon 
Drumer Thomas Trash 
Fifer Nathan Bent 
" David Smith 

PRIVATES. 

William English 
Ambros Furgison 
William Grout 
Elisha Harrington 
Richard Heard 
William Mallet 
Samuel Merriam 
Cuff Nimra 
Benjamin Pierce 
Nath el Parmenter 
James Phillips 
Samuel Pollard 
Rufus Parmenter 
Edward Rice 
Martin Rourke 
Denis Ryan 
Amos Silleway 



A return of Captain Moor's company in the fifth regiment, 
commanded by Col. John Nixon, Sept. 30, 1775. 

David Moore, Capt 

Micah Goodenow 1st Lieut 

Jona Hill, 2ond Lieut Framingham 

SARGENTS. 

Elijah Willis Daniel Loring 

Hopestill Brown Daniel Wait 

Jesse Moore Uriah Wheeler 

CORPORALS. 

James Rice Joseph Balcom 

Oliver Rice Aaron Eames Jun. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



385 



DRUMMER AND FIFER. 

Ebenezer Boutwell ) Framingham 
Thomas Nixon ) 



PRIVATES. 



Nathaniel Bryant 
Aaron Ernes 
Benj 1 Bennet 
Samuel Cutting 
Micah Goodenow 
Ephraim Goodenow 
Lemuel Goodenow 
Asahel Gibbs 
Uriah Hunt 
Isaac Moore 
Eliab Moore 

Total in the Co. 48. From Sudbury 33. 



Thadeus Moore 

Jesse Mostman [Mossman] 

Israel Maynard 

William Maynard 

Nathan Rice 

Israel Willis 

Ephraim Whitney 

Abel Thompson 

Ezra Smith 

Charles Rice 



A list of names of the officers and soldiers in Captain 
Haynes's company in Colonel Brewer's regiment- 



Aaron Haynes Capt 
Mathias Mossman 2ond Lieut 
Sergt Josiah Moore 
Cop John Weighting 



Cop Daniel Putnam 
Drummer Aaron Haynes 
Fifer Naham Haynes 



John Bemis 
Nathan Cutter 
Porter Cuddy 
James Durumple 
Joseph Dakin 
Joseph Green 
Francis Green 



Total in 



PRIVATES. 

Abel Parmenter 
Asa Putnam 
Ephraim Puffer 
John Brewer 
Isaac Rice 
Aaron Mossman 
Joshua Haynes 

Prospect Hill, Oct. 6, 1775 

Aaron Haynes, Capt 

the Co. 47. From Sudbury 21. 



The following names found in the Stearns Collection, as 
being in the eight months service, we give in connection 
with the foregoing lists. 



Jonas Haynes 
John Stone 
Caleb Wheeler 
Hezekiah Moore 



Jeremiah Robins 
Benj Berry [or Barry] 
John Shirley 
Wm Dun 



386 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Total number in these three muster rolls is one hundred 
and fifty-two. Of these, one hundred and four were from 
Sudbury, and only the latter have been here given except 
when designated. Lieut. Nathaniel Russell re-enlisted a part 
of the East Sudbury company and reported for duty April 
24. Capt. Aaron Haynes went into service with his com- 
pany May 3. These companies were in the regiments of 
Colonels Nixon and Brewer, which did valuable service in 
the engagement of June 17. A consideration of the plan of 
that battle and something of its history will show where 
these regiments were, what they did, and the conduct of the 
Sudbury soldiers. 

BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

On the 16th of June, the Americans, under command of 
Colonel Prescott, to the number of about one thousand men 
repaired at night to what was then called Breed's Hill, to 
fortify the place by earthworks. Their object was to pre- 
vent the occupation of Charlestown by General Gage, who 
had been reinforced by about ten thousand men. Through 
the still hours of the night they plied the pickaxe and spade, 
and at daybreak General Gage, from his quarters in Boston, 
surveyed the newly-made works with surprise. British 
batteries soon opened their fire from ship and shore, yet 
steadily the provincials worked on. Gage summoned his 
officers in council, and it was determined to take the place 
by storm. Immediately, columns were formed and set in 
motion, boats were procured to carry troops to the Charles- 
town shore, and a scene of general activity set in. Mean- 
while, the Americans were also astir forming plans to resist 
the assault. Reinforcements were ordered to the Charles- 
town peninsula, and long lines of troops filed from the 
neighboring encampment to join their comrades at the hill. 
The march was attended with hazard, for British batteries 
swept the way, and ranks broke into detachments and 
squads, rather than pass the ordeal in closely formed lines. 
Among those who marched over this perilous way were the 
regiments of Brewer and Nixon, and they arrived on the 
field in season to form for the fiqht. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 387 

When the regiments had all arrived on the Charlestown 
peninsula, an almost unbroken line stretched along from the 
Charles River on the south to the Mystic River on the 
north. The places of the respective regiments were as fol- 
lows : Prescott held the redoubt near the summit with about 
one hundred and sixty-three men ; a breastwork to the 
northerly, near this, was occupied by men of Prescott, 
Bridge and Frye ; on the left, to the northwesterly or 
north, were the regiments of Brewer, Nixon, Knowlton and 
Stark ; while on the right, to the southeasterly or south, 
were the regiments of Wyman and Robinson with about 
three hundred men. Sudbury soldiers were thus placed on 
the left of the line to the northerly of the Bunker Hill sum- 
mit. Between the breastwork and redoubt, and the Mystic 
River or left flank on the northerly, there was, for a time, an 
unfilled space. By this way, the foe had only to advance, 
attack the American works in the rear, and the place was 
captured and retreat cut off. General Putnam discovered 
this gap in time, and ordered troops to man it at once. 
Stark, Knowlton and Reed took their stand on the north by 
the Mystic, Brewer and Nixon on the south of them. Thus 
was filled the hitherto unprotected gap, which, if neglected, 
had invited the foe, and caused speedy and most disastrous 
defeat. 

The British, knowing the importance of the position thus 
held, brought against it a formidable force. This was led 
by Sir William Howe in person. Some of the troops had 
been recently at the Concord and Lexington fight. They 
were likely eager to recover their prestige or avenge the fate 
of their fallen friends. Furthermore, the protection of the 
Provincials at this point was weak ; no entrenchments were 
there to protect them from the foe. The most favored had 
but a few rude improvised works, hastily constructed after 
they arrived on the ground, but the position of the regiment 
in which the Sudbury men served was the mo^t exposed of 
any in that poorly protected column. A part of the line had 
not the slightest protection whatever. The only attempt 
that was made to construct a breastwork was by the gather- 
ing of some newly-mown hay that was scattered about the 



388 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

place But they were prevented from the completion of 
even such a slight breastwork as this. The foe advanced 
and they were compelled to desist. But no exposure to the 
fire of well-disciplined, veteran troops, and no lack of breast- 
work protection led those brave Middlesex colonels and com- 
panies to turn from or abandon this important position. It 
was enough to know that there was an unguarded gap. The 
practised eye of Col. John Nixon, who had so often seen 
service in the old French wars, doubtless saw at a glance 
what the case required, and knowing the need took measures 
to meet it. Says Drake, » Brewer and Nixon immedi- 
ately directed their march for the undefended opening so 
often referred to between the rail fence and earthwork. 
They also began the construction of a hay breastwork, but 
when they had extended it to within thirty rods of Prescott's 
line the enemy advanced to the assault. The greater part 
of these two battalions stood and fought here without cover 
throughout the action, both officers and men displaying 
the utmost coolness and intrepidity under fire." The same 
author also says of Gardiner, Nixon and Brewer, " Braver 
officers did not unsheathe a sword on this day ; their battal- 
ions were weak in numbers, but under the eye and example 
of such leaders invincible." He states that, « with about 
four hundred and fifty men, they stood in the gap with 
Warren and Pomeroy at their head." Just before the 
attack, Putnam gave the order not to fire until they could 
see the whites of the enemy's eyes. When the foe was 
fairly in range the Provincials opened fire. The lines blazed 
with a hot discharge ; whole ranks were swept down before 
it, men dropped on the right hand and left ; no mortal could 
withstand that withering storm ; it was an unerring, death- 
dealing discharge. Howe's attendants were struck down at 
his very side, and for a time he stood almost alone. He gave 
the word for retreat, and his shattered remnant withdrew from 
the field. He had failed to break the ranks of these left line 
regiments, and hence the redoubt was still safe from an 
' attack in the rear. But these soldiers were again to be put 
to the test. For about an hour there was a cessation of strife, 
then the column advanced to a second assault. Steadily the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 389 

veterans moved forward and bravely did their opponents 
await them. When the signal was given the engagement 
began. The same tactics were employed as before, and with 
like results : whole ranks melted away before the Provincial 
fire, battalions were reduced to mere companies, Howe's 
best officers were dying or dead, the way was mown by 
Provincial bullets, and again the redoubt and breastwork 
were safe. But the British, persisting with the tenacity 
that belongs to the race, reformed for still another assault, 
and this time they were more successful, for the ammu- 
nition of the Provincials was exhausted and there remained 
nothing but retreat or a hand-to-hand fight. The order was 
given and the Provincials withdrew, but before leaving, there 
was a terrible encounter. Prescott, who so bravely held the 
redoubt while the left line regiments held the British from 
an attack on the rear, now rallied his men to fight in an 
improvised way. With clubbed guns, and with bayonets 
wrenched from the foe they still fought the unequal fight, 
until, steadily pressed, they were compelled to give up the 
redoubt. This captured and the breastwork abandoned, the 
men in the gap were between 'two fires and the only resort 
was to retreat. They stood while there was any hope of 
success, and did not abandon the gap until General Warren, 
who, it is said, stood at the head of the rail fence breastwork 
between the regiments of Brewer and Nixon, considered it 
expedient. In fact, Colonel Nixon's regiment was one of 
the last to leave the battle-ground. Both Nixon and 
Brewer were wounded, the former so severely that he was 
borne from the field, and their brave leader, General Warren, 
was slain. Thus nobly was the defence maintained. The 
losses sustained by the regiments of Brewer and Nixon were 
as follows : — 

Brewer's regiment : Killed 7 Wounded 11 
Nixon's regiment: Killed 3 Wounded 10 

Total 10 21 

Of the killed, two were of Captain Haynes's company, 
namely: Comming Forbush, Framingham ; Joshua Haynes, 
Sudbury. One was of Captain Russell's company, namely : 



300 HISTORY OF SUDBUKY. 

Lebbaus Jenness of Deerfiekl. Thus ended that day of des- 
tinies. Dismal indeed was the scene as night settled upon 
it. The beloved of both armies had fallen. Major Pitcairn, 
prominent in Concord fight, was among the English slain, 
while General Warren, a man of promise and much admired 
by the Americans, had also perished. 

THE SIEGE OF BOSTON. 

After the engagement at Bunker Hill the Provincials 
began the siege of Boston. The British bivouacked the night 
of the seventeenth on the battle-field, but the Americans soon 
environed them from Roxbury to Medford. On the 3d of 
July, George Washington took formal command of the Con- 
tinental Army, and then commenced, under his generalship, 
that series of military movements which resulted in the evac- 
uation of Boston by the British, March 17, 1776. 

The soldiers of Sudbury in the battle of Bunker Hill, all 
or nearby all having enlisted for eight months, were engaged 
in this siege. During the summer, Colonel Brewer's regi- 
ment was stationed at Prospect Hill, and General Nixon had 
quarters at Winter Hill. 

Before closing the account of Sudbury's service in the year 
1775, we will insert the names of some Sudbury men who 
were in the two months service with Captain Wheeler in 
1775, and also of a small number who were in the regiment 
of Colonel Whiting and did service at Hull, and after leav- 
ing there were stationed at Fort Independence. 

IX THE TWO MONTHS WINTER 1775. 

Capt Asahel Wheeler Daniel Maynard 

Ithamer Rice Gideon Maynard 

John Maynard Jr. Silas Mosman 
John Balcom Jr. 

col reed's regiment. 
Peter Smith Abel Tower 

Ebenezer Plympton Joel Brigham 

Jonathan Bent James Haynes 

Ruben Haynes Daniel Frazer 

Simeon Ingersol Thomas Smith 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 391 

IN COLONEL WHITING'S REGIMENT. 

Micah Balcom John Brown 

Thomas Goodenow Lt. Abel Brigham 

Jas Balcom Jacob Reed 

Luther Moor Thos. Dal [rymple] 

Thad Harrington Elijah Howe 

Israel Tr Moore 

GOVERNMENT STOREHOUSES. 

Besides other responsibilities the town had charge of some 
government storehouses containing munitions of war, which 
the Sudbury teamsters, from time to time, conveyed to the 
front. Various receipts are still preserved which were 
received by these teamsters. These buildings were situated 
on the northerly part of Sand Hill, east of the county road. 
There were several of them, and some were remaining within 
the memory of an aged citizen who conversed with the writer 
concerning them. One or more of them were moved to 
Wayland, and one was moved to the Captain Rice place 
where it was used as a cider mill. Recently it was moved 
to another spot on the same farm and made over for a stable ; 
the old timbers of the original structure were retained. 
Before its alteration the writer examined it and took meas- 
urements. It was a very low building, perhaps forty by thirty 
feet, with a broad sloping roof. It was without partitions, 
and formerly had a very wide barn-like door in front. At 
one time Mr. William Rice, the father of Captain William, 
had charge of these houses and military stores. Several 
squads of soldiers were employed to guard them, and at one 
time Captain Isaac Wood was commander of the guard. In 
1777, the following soldiers did guard duty : " Corporal 
Robert Eames, Silas Goodenow Jr, Philemon Brown, Elisha 
Harrington, Jon a Clark." A guard of the same number 
was there in 1778 and 79, but all the men were not the same. 
The field in or near which these buildings stood was used as 
a training field in former years, and at one time a militia 
muster was held there. But now all trace even of the site 
has become obliterated, and for years it has been a quiet 
feeding place for cattle, and all is as peaceful there as if the 



392 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

slow pacing of the old Continental guard had never been 
heard at Sand Hill. 

SERVICE OUTSIDE OF THE STATE. 

While Sudbury was so well represented in the field during 
the eventful year of 1775, when the seat of war was in its 
own neighborhood, when its farms were liable to become the 
front and its very door-yards the field of battle, it was also 
fitly represented when the war passed to other localities. 
We will now present the names of some of the soldiers 
who served in the subsequent scenes of the war in places 
remote from the town. A few that have become illegible 
will be omitted and doubtful ones will be enclosed in 

brackets. 

After the British left Boston the American Army went to 
New York, and a part of the Sudbury soldiers, including 
three captains, went with it. These captains were Abel 
Holden, Caleb Clapp and Aaron Haynes. Gen. John Nixon, 
it is supposed, accompanied it in the brigade of General 
Sullivan. On the 9th of August, John Nixon was promoted 
to the rank of brigadier-general, and his brother, Thomas, 
became colonel of his regiment. This regiment and another 
with a body of artillery, all under command of General 
Nixon, were stationed for a time at Governor's Island, New 
Yoik Harbor, and after the retreat of General Washington 
from Brooklyn, August 27, the brigade passed up the North 
River with the army. 

The following is a list of offieers and some of the privates in 
the Sudbury companies in 177G, Gen. John Nixon's brigade. 

COL. THOMAS NIXON'S REGIMENT. 

Capt. Abel Holden Ruben Haynes 

Lieut Levi Holden Colven Eames 

Lieut Oliver Rice Thadeus Moore 

Capt Caleb Clap Luther Eames 

Lieut Joshua Clap John Stone 

Serg't Joseph Balcom Joshua Maynard 

Joseph Nixon Roland Bennet 

Luther Moore Hezekiah Moore 

The company of Capt. Aaron Haynes was in Colonel 




RESIDENCE OF CHARLES P. WILLIS. (David Lincoln Place 
Historical Sketch of Willis Family. Page 453. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



393 



Whitcomb's regiment, having been transferred from Colonel 
Brewer's while stationed at Prospect Hill. The following 
list contains part of the names : — 



Capt Aaron Haynes. 
Aaron Haynes Jr. 
John Rusk 



Joseph Maynard 
Jonas Haynes 
Ephriam Goodenovv 



Capt. Aaron Haynes was in command of a company at 
Peekskill, N. Y., in the spring of 1777. 

Besides the soldiers who went with the army to New York 
in 1776, there was quite a force that went in an expedition 
against Canada. A large part of the soldiers who served in 
these campaigns were under the command of Capt. Asahel 
Wheeler, and in one at least of the campaigns were in the 
regiment of Col. John Robinson. Of the Sudbury soldiers 
who served under these officers in the Canada Expedition or 
Ticonderoga Campaign, we give the following : — 



John Merriam 

Benj 

Joseph Smith 
Ephraim Smith 
Zebediah Farrar 
Daniel Lawrence 
Job Brooks. 
Rhuben Hains. 
Roger Bigelow 
Oliver Curtis 
Samuel Jones 
John Tozer 
Abijah Mead 
Samson Wheeler. 
John Lough 
Oliver Conant 
Jonah Gilbert 
Joseph Mason 
A Buttrick 
John Weston 
Samuel Adams 
Joel Adams 
Daniel Hosmer 
Phinehas Hager 
Jacob Jones 



Phinehas Glezen 
David How jr. 
Francis Jones 
Timothy Underwood 
Jonathan Davis 
Daniel Benjaman 
Ithamer Rice. 
John Peter 
Nathaniel Park 

Converse Big 

Abraham Parmenter 
Steven Taylor 
Jonas Brown 
Andrew Green 
John Cobb 
James Stedman 
Francis Chaffin 
Amos Nutting 

G Ames 

Amos Stow 
William Thorney 
John Hives 
Nathaniel Bemis 
Thomas Corey 
John Farrar 



394 



HISTORY OF SUDBttRY. 



Besides those who served in the Canada Expedition in 
Captain Wheeler's company, Colonel Robinson's regiment, 
we give the following who served in his company when in 
the regiment of Colonel Read. A large share of the names 
in this and other lists were once familiar in Sudbury. Those 
which were not may have been of substitutes who made 
up the quota. 

COLONEL READ'S REGIMENT, GENERAL BRECKET'S BRIGADE, GENERAL 
GATES' DIVISION. 



Capt. Asahel Wheeler 

Sergent Uriah Wheeler 

Lieut. Hopstill Willis 

Corp. Daniel Osborn 

Aaron Eames 

Thomas Eames 

Josiah Richardson 

Jesse Goodnovv 

Uriah Hunt 

Thomas Burbank 

Benj. Berry, 

Nathaniel Rice 

Deliverance Parmenter 

Isaac Moore 

Daniel Noyes 

John Sheperd 

W m Walker 

Daniel W. Moore 

Jonas Clark 

W m Dun 
Nathaniel Bryant 
Aaron Maynard 
Jonathan Burbank 
Richard Wetherbee 
Phinehas Gleason 
Phinehas Gleason Jr 
John Barney 
John Adams 
John [Thonning] 
W m [Thorning] 
Ebenezer Park 
Edward Whitman 
Thomas Ernes 
David Underwood 
Rice 



John Taylor 

Hezekiah Hapgood 

[Moris Clary] 

Nathaniel Browne 

Ebenezer Plympton 

Gideon Maynard 

Isaac Rice 

Timothy Rice 

Francis Green 

Abel Willis 

John Frazer 

Jacob Kibley 

Jason Haines 

Samuel Merriam 

Jonas [Chase] 

Abel Willis 

Aaron Eames Jr. 

Josiah Hosmcr 

Benj. Tower 
Solomon Taylor 

Judah Wetherbee 
W m Graves 
F/ekiel Smith 
James Willis 
Edward [Cheney] 
Thomas Harrington 
Jacob Stevens 
Phineas Stevens 
Nathan Gates 
Daniel Noyes 
Benj. [Hale] 
Nathaniel Rice 
W" 1 Hosmer Jr. 

Amos 

Samuel Brown 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



395 



Joseph Rutter 
Charles Brown 
John Parmenter 
Francis Hemenway 



Isaac Rice 
Silas Conant 
Blanchard 



Several names belonging in the above list have become 
illegible in the records. 

The following were also in the Ticonderoga Campaign, 
1776, in the company of Captain Wheeler: — 



James Wright 
Abel Tower 
Isaac Bartlett 
Mica Graves 
Thomas Bloget 
Ezra Parmenter 
Abel Goodenow 
Theodore Harrington 
Jonathan Bent 
Isaac Bartlett 
Abel Tower 
Aaron Mosmon 
Ebenezer Nixon 
Jonas Emery 
Paul Colidge 
Josiah Tomson 
Elias Bigelow 
Joseph Abbot 
Gregory Stone 
Nath 1 Knowlton 
Nath el Browne 
John Park 
Samuel Bond 
William Hosmer 
Peter Brintnal 
Nathan Maynard 
Aaron Maynard 
Abel Child 

Jacob 

John Cartei- 
Joseph Rutter 
Nathaniel Knowlton 

Elijah 

Jacob Jones 
Uriah Wheeler 
W m Grout 
Joseph Goodenow 



John Hoar 
Ebenezer Heald 
Christian Wagner 
Abel Goodenow 
[Samuel Dakin] 
Ebenezer Heard 
Solomon Whitney 
William Thomas 

Samuel 

Josiah Farrar 
Caleb Wheeler 
Jason Belcher 
Samuel Emery 
Jonas Billings 
Samuel Hoar 
Samuel Osborn 
Jesse Mosmon 
Capt. David Moore 
Francis Green 
Joshua Haynes Lieut 
Daniel Maynard 
John Parmenter 
Micah Graves 
Charles Rice 
Samuel Curtis 
John Adams 
Eleezer Parks 
Jonas Bond 
Samuel Poland 
Abel Willis 
John Parks 
Isaac Moore 
Micah Bowker 
John Bennet 
John Warren 
John Lands 



396 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The following Sudbury men served in the Ticonderoga 
Campaign, 1776, in the compan}' of Captain Craft, Colonel 
Graton's regiment : — 

Peter Smith Abel Maynard 

Isaac Wise Jesse Mosman 

Aaron Mosman Simeon Ingersol 

Abel Tower Charles Eames 

The following served in the Ticonderoga Campaign, 
1776, in the company of Captain Edgell, Colonel Brewer's 
regiment : — 

Lieut. Jonathan Rice Serg't Augustus Moore 

William Maynard Nathan Hayward. 

Joel Brigham. 

Capt. Aaron Haynes had a company at Ticonderoga in 
1776 in Col. Asa Whitcomb's regiment. His minute roll 
bears date, December, 1776, and the following names are 
upon it : — 

Aaron Haynes Capt Joseph Willis Ensigne 

Aaron Holden 1 st Lieut, Aaron Haynes Drummer. 

The soldiers included in the lists now given were of the 
armies which were endeavoring to gain Canada for the Con- 
tinental cause, and force the British from the State of New 
York. The expedition or campaign against Canada was 
planned in the }^ear 1775 by a committee of Congress which 
met at Cambridge in August of that year. The capture of 
the fortresses Ticonderoga and Crown Point on Lake Cham- 
plain in May, 1775, by Connecticut and Vermont militia, 
had opened the way to the St. Lawrence, and the expedition 
was designed to aid in getting possession of that part of 
Canada. Two forces were engaged in the work. One of 
these was composed of New York and New England troops 
and was placed under the command of Generals Schuyler 
and Montgomery and ordered to go by way of Lake Cham- 
plain to Montreal and Quebec. The other expedition left 
Cambridge, September, 1775, and was under the leadership 
of Col. Benedict Arnold. In the Canada Expedition, 1776, 
the following casualties occurred: Benjamin Berry lost an 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



397 



arm, and at Ticonderoga the same year the following per- 
sons died : — 

Ensign Timothy Underwood Phinehas Gleason 

Solomon Rice Timothy Rice 

Sergeant Samuel Maynard died of small pox at Quebec with Arnold. 

The service rendered by the Sudbury men who left Massa- 
chusetts with the army under Washington was largely per- 
formed in New York and vicinity. Washington arriving at 
New York about the middle of April, at once set about 
fortifying the vicinity and securing the passes of the High- 
lands on the Hudson River. In the operations about this 
part of the country hard fighting and toilsome marches were 
experienced. We hear of Sudbury soldiers at Saratoga, 
Stillwater, Fort Edward, and other places connected with 
the activity of the Continental forces in New York. At 
Saratoga Serg. Thadeus Moore was slain and Lieut. Joshua 
Clapp was wounded. 

Names of Sudbury men enlisted in 1777 for three years or 
during the war. 

OFFICERS. 



Gen. John Nixon 
Capt. Abel Holden 
Leuit. Levi Holden 
Leuit. Oliver Rice 
Capt. Caleb Clap 
Leuit. Joshua Clap 
Capt. Aaron Haynes 

Nathaniel Cutter 
Charles Gouell 
Ruben Moore Jr. 
Oliver Sanderson 
Uriah Moore 
Hezekiah Moore 
William Dun 
Joseph Nixon 
Joel Puffer 
Ephraim Goodenow 
Francis Green 
Luther Eames 
Luther Moore 
Joel Brigham 



privates. 



Sergeant Ruben Haynes 
Sergeant Aaron Haynes 
Sergeant Joseph Balcom 
Sergeant Uriah Eaton 
Sergent Thadeus Moore 
Sergeant Jonas Haynes, 



John Buck 
Joshua Maynard 
Joseph Maynard 
Jonathan Robbinson 
Zak. Robbenson 
Oliver Robbenson 
Joseph Cutter 
Calvin Eames 
Josiah Cutter 
Joseph Willis 
Donal Lincoln 
Ruben Moore 
Joseph Meller 



398 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



In connection with the foregoing we give the following 
list of men who enlisted for the same length of time but 
perhaps in another year. The}- were from " the 4 th Regi- 
ment of Foot, commanded by Col. Ezekiel How." Only 
five of the names given in the two lists are alike. 



Capt. Abel Holden 
Benjamin Tower 
Luther Eames 
Charles Eames 
Corneleus Wood 
Joel Brigham 
Joseph Nixon 
Levi Holden 
Luther Moore 
Uriah Moore 



GUARD ROLL. 

3 years Micah Grant '.) years 

" Jesse Goodenow " 

" Thomas Burbank " 

" Ephraim Goodenow ,; 

" Jonathan Bevens " 

" Jonas Welch " 

" Joseph Bent " 

" Abel Thompson " 

" Thomas Gibbs during the war 
it 

PAY ROLL. 



Sudbury June the 27 th , 1778. We the Subscribers have received of 
Capt. Asahel Wheeler Nine Pounds for oure wages in full oure pay for 
October & Part November 1777 both for contannatel and State and 
mileage we say Received by ous — 



Moses Stone 
Nathaniel Rice 
Abel Smith 
William Brown 
Jonathan Haynes 
W m Moore 
Timothy Moore 
Abel Brigham 
Mathias Mosman 
Samuel Puffer 
Gidon Maynard 
Silas Tower 
James Moore 
Hezekiah Johnson 

his 
Silas X Parmenter 
mark 



Samuel Knight in behalf [of] 

Silas Knight 

Daniel Maynard 

Caleb Stacy 

Timothy Ernes 

Ephraim Moore 

Asher Cutler Jr 

Hopestill Willis 

Jason Haynes 

Daniel osborn 

Phineas Puffer 

John Parris 

Samuel Cutting 

Isaac Goodenow 



Beside men who enlisted for a long term of service in 
1777, we have two lists of those whose enlistment was for a 
very short period. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 300 

FIRST LIST. 
Jan. 1777 
To New York — Two months 
Capt. Nathaniel Hayward's Company, Col. Thatcher's Regiment. 
Cornelius Wood Thomas Dalremple 

Daniel Loring Thomas Dalremple Jr 

Ser 1 Maj r W m Goodenow Thomas Moore 

Serg 1 Uriah Wheeler Daniel Hamynes 

W m Brown Theodore Harrington 

Abel Parmenter 

The last four of these men are spoken of as having been 
taken prisoners and never heard of afterwards. 

SECOND LIST. 
July 1777. 
To Saratoga — Three months. 
Col. Brown's Regiment. General Gates, Commander. 
Capt. Jonathan Rice John Brown 

Serg' Abel Maynard Ebenezer Burbank 

Ezekiel How Nathaniel Brown 

Caleb Wheeler Nathaniel Bryant 

Isaac Wier David How 

Abel Willis 

As the war progressed Sudbury was still active in filling 
its quota. In 1778, several companies were still in the field. 
Four of these had three hundred and twenty-seven men and 
were commanded as follows : West Side men, Capt. Jona- 
than Rice and Capt. Asahel Wheeler; East Side men, Capt. 
Nathaniel Maynard and Capt. Isaac Cutting. In the Stearns 
Collection we have the following lists of men in two of these 
companies. 

FOR CAP. MAYNARD'S COMPANY, SUDBURY 

Lieut. Joseph Wellington, during the war. 

Robert Bennet " 

Farkins Hosmer " 

Oliver Sanderson " 

Simon Newton " 1 

Ephraim Barker " 

Jonathan Barker " 

James Gibbs u 



400 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Pathrick Flinti during the war. 

James Welch " 

Timothy Ahgen " 

John Carrol " 

Morris Griffin " 

Daniel Hickey " 

Samuel Whitney " 

Joseph Foster " 

Christopher Capen " 

Ephraim Carry " 
Ambros Fergerson for 3 years 

Timothy Bent " 

Samuel Whitney " 

Phinehas Butler " 

W m Cook Gleason " 

Thomas Jones " 

Abraham Parmenter (i 

Noah Bogle " 

John Stover transient " 

FOR CAPT. WHEELER'S COMPANY. 

Joseph Balcom 3 years Joseph Mossman 3 years 

Ruben Haynes " Joel Brigham " 

Capt. Jonathan Maynard had a company in the two months 

service in 1782 in the Seventh Regiment, Lieut. Col. John 
Brooks. lie also had a company in the twelve months 
service in the same regiment. 

FOR CAPT. MOULTON'S CO. 

Joseph Smith 3 years Richard Morris 3 years 

John Burk " James Scroday " 

Joseph Maynard " W m Bevens " 

Joshua Maynard " Uriah Eaton <: 

Isaac Rice " Francis Green " 

Nathaniel Cutler " Patherick Flin during the war 

Joseph Cutler " John Carrol 

Thadeus Moore " Morris Griffin " 

Oliver Sanderson il 

Other enlistments were, — 

Capt Aaron Haynes during the war Eleazer Lawrence 3 years 
Aaron Haynes Jr 3 years James Beamis " 

The following is a list of Sudbury men in Capt. Daniel 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



401 



Bowker's company, together with the time when they joined 
Colonel Webb's regiment : — 



SUDBURY. 



Daniel Bowker Capt. 
Oliver Parmenter 
Ezra Mossman 
Edward Moore 
Silas Ames 
Ashbel Moore 

Isaac Cary 
Asa Holden 
Oliver Travis 



Steven Puffer, died Oct. 3d. 
Silas Puffer 
John Brigham 
Samuel Willis 
Corp. Ezra Willis 



SUDBURY EAST. 



Isaac Cory Jr 
Ruben Graves 



The men from Sudbury joined Sept. 9th except Capt. Bowker who 
entered Sept. loth. Those from East Sudbury entered Oct. 6 th 

Highlands, Nov 20, 1785 

The following paper shows the sums paid for enlistments 

in 1780: — 

Sudbury June 22 d 1780 
We the subscribers do hereby acknowledge that we have severally 
received of the Committee appointed by the town of Sudbury to agree 
with and hire the said Town's Quota of soldiers agreeable to an act of 
the Gen. Court of the fifth of June instant the several sums annexed to 
our names — 



his 
Benjamin X Seaver 

mark 
Joshua Hemenway 
Jonas Haynes 
Abel Brigham 
Abel Cutler 
Ezra Willis 
Naham Haynes 
Asa Holden 



^600 

" 750 
"600 
"600 
"600 
"900 
"750 
"600 



his 
Joseph X Cutter .£900 

mark 

Peter " 900 

Ebenezer Parmenter " 600 

his 
Peletiah X Parmenter "600 

mark 
Luther Moor " 700 

Luther Ernes " 900 



CHAPTER XXII. 

1775-1800. 

Revolutionary War. — Report of a Committee Appointed by the Town 
to Estimate the Service of Sudbury Soldiers. — Appointment of a 
Committee to Make up and Bring in Muster Rolls of the Services of 
Each Soldier in the War. — Muster Rolls: Captain Rice's, Captain 
Wheeler's, Captain Maynard's, Captain Cutting's. — Whole Number 
of Men in the War. — Their Valiant Service. — Casualties. — Sketch 
of Gen. John Nixon. — Town-Meetings. — Encouragements to Enlist- 
ment. — Specimen of Enlistment Papers. — Various Requisitions 
Made on the Town. 

Their death shot shook the feudal tower. 
And shattered slavery's chain as well : 
On the sky's dome, as on a bell, 

Its echo struck the world's great hour. 

Whittier. 

Having how presented the names of the soldiers obtained 
from various other sources, we will give a, list found on the 
Town Records, which purports to contain the names of all 
soldiers of the town who served in the Revolutionary War 
up to the fall of 1778, tog-ether with extracts from the 
records which led to this enrollment of names. 

June 25, 1778, " The town by their vote ordered their 
Com. appointed to estimate the services of each particular 
person in Sudbury in the present war, to report at the next 
Town meeting." 

At a town-meeting held October 1\\ the committee above 
mentioned reported as follows: — (The fractional parts of 
pounds we have omitted.) 

That the minute men be allowed each £3 

That the Eight Months be allowed each 20 

Six weeks men to Roxbury allowed each 4 

402 



H1ST0EY OF SUDBURY. 403 

Two months men to Cambridge allowed each £6 

The years men to York and the Northward allowed each 75 

Six months men to the Castle allowed each 9 

Five months men to Ticonderoga allowed each 50 

Three months men to Dorchester with Cap 4 Moulton allowed each 7 

Two months men to York allowed each 25 

Three months men to York and the Jerseys allowed each 48 

Two months men to Providence allowed each 12 

Three months men to Ticonderoga allowed each 52 

Thirty days men to Saratoga allowed each 20 

Three months men to Providence allowed each 30 

Three months men to guard at Cambridge allowed each 18 

Six weeks men to Rhode Island allowed each 20 

Four months men to guard the troops and stores allowed each 20 

Three months men to Boston allowed each 20 

That those persons who have hired men to perform any of the above 
services at a time when there was an actual Levy for men, be allowed 
for Said Service as if performed in person. That those that paid fines 
or advanced money for the good of the service, be allowed in the same 
proportion as their money would procure men to perform the Services 
which at that time they Neglected to do in person. That no persons 
shall be intitled to Receive pay for any of the above Services Unless he 
Shall be first taxed towards the payment thereof. Also that Each per- 
son shall Receive pay only for the time he was in actual Service 

Sudbury Octo r 19 th 1778 Ezekiel How J 

Phineas Glezen 

J° na Rice I Committee 

Asahel Wheeler 

Isaac Loker | 

Tho Walker J 

The town voted to accept the above report, and appointed 
men to make up and bring to the town complete muster rolls 
of the services of each person in Sudbury in the then present 
war with Great Britain. This meeting was adjourned to 
October 26, at which date the following record was made, 
namely : — 

Oct. 26 th 1778. Capt Rice's musteroll was read, and the town voted 
to Grant to Each person Expressed by name in said musteroll the Sum 
Set to their Respective name, as may appear by said musteroll, which 
was as follows viz' 

To Hopestill Willis £"?> Silas Parmenter ,£17 

Ens" Josiah Richardson 75 Elisha Harrington 12 

John Moore 53 Nathan Read 25 



404 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



Uriah Moore Ju r 


£58 


L' Micah Goodenow 


£116 


Asher Cutler Ju r 


71 


Eben r Wood 


51 


Will 1 " Goodenow 


51 


Jesse Moore adm r 


21 


L r Thomas Goodenow 


30 


Hopestill Browne ad r 


6 


Israel Willis adm r 


51 


Cap' Sam 1 Knight 


44 


Sam 1 Cutting 


41 


Asher Cutler 


9 


Nath al Rice Ju r 


35 


Cor 1 Sam 1 How 


46 


Joseph Green 


10 


Aaron Johnson 


77 


Abel Parmenter 


17 


William Parmenter 


9 


Isaac Hunt Ju r 


02 


Reuben Vorce 


12 


Nath 11 Bryant 


35 


Sam 11 Hunt 


12 


Uriah Hayden 


95 


Cap' Israel Moore 


102 


Abel Goodenow 


31 


L' Elisha Wheeler 


73 


David How 


126 


Aaron Goodenow Ju r 


52 


Philemon Brown 


35 


Tho. Ernes 


26 


L' Jacob Read 


76 


Nath 11 Brown 


11 


James Wyse 


75 


Edward Bayanton 


26 


John Goodenow 


50 


John Browne 


52 


L' Jon a Carter 


102 


Wid° Sarah Brigham 


52 


Dan 11 W Moore 


50 


Israel Parmenter 


52 


W m Walker 


50 


Cap' Moses Stone 


50 


Deliverance Parmenter 


50 


Silas Goodenow 


40 


Jotham Goodenow 


50 


Tho 9 Carr Ju r 


48 


Col. Ezekiel How 


70 


Uriah Gibbs 


30 


Dan 11 Osborn 


70 


Micah Parmenter 


30 


Elijah Rice 


50 


James Thomson 


41 


Peter Haynes 


50 


Ens" Jonas Holdin 


53 


Jon" Carter Ju r 


70 


W m Hayden 


53 


Nath 11 Rice 


50 


Eliab Moore 


39 


Cap' Jon" Rice 


95 


Jonas Wheler 


18 


Isaac Read 


33 


Tho' Dalrimple 


27 


Elijah Moore 


10 


Sam 11 Geason 


26 


Cap 1 Cornelius Wood 


9 


Abel Thomson 


75 


L' Rowand Bogle 


63 


Will'" Hunt 


33 


Robert Ernes 


26 


D r Josiah Langdon 


12 


Eph 1 " Carter 


25 


Sam 11 Bent 


3 


John Brigham 


35 


Elisha Wheeler Ju 


51 


John Parry 


45 


Eph m Goodenow Ju r 


20 


Uriah Parmenter 


55 


David How Ju r 


3 


Jos h Parmenter 


45 


Moses Goodenow 


3 


Oliver Mors 


28 


John Willis 


32 


Eph" 1 Moore 


45 


Sam 11 Brown 


32 


Joseph Moore 


35 


Joseph Grout 


32 


Hopestill Brown 


90 


Cap' Abel Holdin 


96 


W" Brown 


68 


Luther Moore 


29 


Isaac Lincoln Ju r 


•IS 


Aaron Ernes 


21 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 



405 



Jesse Gibbs ,£48 

Nahum Hayden 48 

W m Parmenter 4S 

Reuben Willis 48 

Tho 8 Walker 48 

V Joseph Read 27 

U Joseph Goodenow 19 

Timothy Ernes 27 



M r Asahel Goodenow ,£12 

Elijah Willis Exe r 10 

Aaron Goodenow 17 

Augustus Walker 17 

Charles Ernes 20 

Ezekiel How Ju r 52 

Ens n Levi Holdin 75 



Capt Asahel Wheeler's Musteroll was read, and the town voted to 
allow to each person expressed by name therein the Sum Set to his 
name in said musteroll, which was as follows viz 4 



To Cap* Asahel Wheler ,£83 

L l Joshua Haynes 78 

D Abijah Brigham 41 

Augustus Moore 46 

Isaac Maynard 198 

Asahel Balcom 72 

Will m Moore 71 

Uriah Wheler 51 

Jason Haynes 70 

Peter Smith 82 

John Maynard Ju r 16 

Dan 11 Maynard 59 

Jason Bent 66 

Jon a Bent 17 

Joseph Balcom 30 

John Balcom 49 

Jonas Balcom 52 

Sam 11 Brigham 18 

Hope Brown 55 

John Clark 29 

James Carter 21 

Joseph Dakin 38 

Dea n Sam 11 Dakin 25 

Dan 11 Goodenow 32 

Moses Haynes 32 

Israel Haynes 113 

James Haynes 129 

Jon a Haynes 45 

Charles Haynes 73 

Cap 1 Aaron Haynes 190 

Macah Haywood 49 

Moses Maynard 25 

Nathan Maynard 35 

John Maynard 150 



Phinehas Puffer £QS 

Tho' Puffer 52 

Isaac Puffer 32 

James Parmenter Ju r 30 

Edmund Parmenter 50 

Tho 3 Plympton Esq r 86 

Dan 11 Puffer 32 

Charles Rice 21 

W m Rice 3d 70 

Ithamor Rice 54 

Abel Smith 44 

John Shirly 21 

Sam 11 Puffer 65 

L* Oliver Noyse 81 

Nathan Loring 32 

Cap 4 Elijah Smith 52 

Henry Smith 96 

Benj n Smith 52 

Jotham Brown 26 

John Shepard 30 

Ambrose Tower 132 

Israel Wheler 50 

John Weighton 34 

Abel Willis 50 

Cop 1 Dan 11 Bowker 70 

L l James Puffer 52 

James Puffer Ju r 45 

Dan 11 Loring 76 

Jere h Robbins 21 

W m Hunt Ju r 62 

John Mosmon 50 

L l Mathias Mosman 35 

Francis Green 20 

Jesse Willis 32 



40G 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



Aaron Maynard ,£50 

Timo* Moore 24 

Zec h Maynard 70 

Jesse Mosman 95 

Joseph Maynard Guar 75 

Dan 11 Noyse Jun 55 

Moses Noyse 77 



Silas Tower £4: 

Capt David Moore Ex r 20 

Thad 8 Moore Ex r 95 

Simeon Ingersal Ex r 79 

Nath a Cutter Ex r 24 

Jonas Rice Ex r 20 

Jon a Smith 49 



Then Cap 1 Nath 11 Maynard's Musteroll was read and the town voted 
to allow to each person expressed by name therein the Sum Set to his 
name in said Musteroll which was as followeth viz' 



To John Adams 
Benj n Adams 
Josiah Allen 
Ephe m Abbot 
Amos Abbot 
W'» Baldwin Esq'' 
U W m Barker 
Rolan Bennet 
John Dean 
James Davis 
L l Josiah Farrar 
Abraham Jenkinson 
Sam 11 Griffin 
Micah Graves 
Phinehas Glezen 
Isaac Gould 
Reuben Gould 
Jacob Gould 
Cap 1 Josiah Hoar 
L l Jon a Hoar 
Cap 1 Nath 11 Maynard 
Daniel Maynard 
Dan 11 Moore 
Israel Moore 
John Noyes Esq 1 ' 
James Noyes 
Jason Parmenter 
Jon r Parmenter Ju r 
D r Eben r Roby 
Joseph Rutter Ju r 
Tho 9 Rutter 
Jonas Sherman 
Edward Sherman 
Timoy Sherman 



^50 
23 
50 
30 
20 
50 
32 
12 
45 
52 
13 
52 
80 
57 
63 

4 
25 
25 

5 
40 
68 
50 
34 
12 
50 
52 
18 
15 
50 
50 
20 
•J.-> 
50 

\-2 



U Eben r Staples j£18 

Tho 8 Trask 12 

Isaac Woodward 7 

L l John Noyes 73, 

Samuel Sherman 20 

Eph m Allen ad" 1 95 

James Philips 95 

Lemuel Whiting 95 

L* Josiah Wilinton 95 

John Brewer 40 

Elijah Bent 95 

Zech 11 Bent 6 

Zech 11 Bryant Ju r 70 

John Bruce 50 

Maj r Jo s Curtis 5 

David Curtis 32 

U Sam 11 Choat 25 

Thad 3 Bond 40 

Cap 1 Joseph Payson 32 

W m Wyman 30 

Isaac Brintnal 20 

Peter Brintnal 20 

Joshua Kendal 20 

Cap 1 Richard Heard 13.! 

Tho 9 Heard 53 

Richard Heard J u r 20 

Trobridge Taylor 18 

Darius Hudson 52 

Joseph Emerson ~r2 

Nath 1 Knolton 20 

Sam" Haynes 3 

Wid" Ann Noyes 30 

Isaac Moore 20 

Simon Newton 70 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



407 



Then Capt Cutting's Musteroll was read and the town voted to allow 
to each person expressed by name therein, the Sum Set to his name in 
said Musteroll, which was as follows, viz' 



To L' W in Bond 


£-2-2 


L' Joseph Smith 


^95 


Thoin s Brintnal 


5 


Cap' Caleb Moulton 


34 


Joseph Beal 


32 


Micah Maynard ad r 


50 


Isaac Cutting 


32 


Amos Ordeway 


4 


John Cutting 


50 


D 11 Sam 11 Parris 


32 


Elisha Cutting 


58 


L' Isaac Rice 


54 


Jon a Cutting 


20 


Isaac Rice 


25 


Sam 11 Curtis 


20 


Dan 11 Rice 


17 


Tho 8 Damon Ju r 


57 


Israel Rice Ju r 


26 


W m Damon 


25 


Jonas Rice 


9 


Isaac Damon 


12 


Edmund Rice 


42 


Benj" Dudley Ju r 





L 4 Sam 11 Russell 


32 


Cor 1 Joseph Dudley 


50 


Capt. Thad s Russell 


20 


Eben r Dudley 


29 


Capt Robert Cutting- 


55 


W m Dudley 


50 


Jacob Reeves 


40 


Eben r Johnson 


50 


V Nath a Reeves 


20 


Peter Johnson 


21 


Joseph Smith Capt. 


76 


John Loker 


45 


L* Ephraim Smith 


22 


Jonas Loker ad r 


5 


Isaac Stone 


50 


Cap' Isaac Loker 


70 


David Stone 


50 


John Meriam 


20 


Joel Stone 


16 


Capt. Caleb Moulton 


34 


John Tilton 


32 


Capt Micah Maynard ad 1 ' 


50 


John Tilton Ju r 


60 


Amos Ordeway 


4 


Timo y Underwood ad 1 ' 


55 


D r Sam" Peris 


32 


Timo y Underwood 


21 


Lt Isaac Rice 


54 


Jon a Westson 


20 


Isaac Rice 


25 


Isarc Williams 


20 


Dan 11 Rice 


17 


L l John Whitney 


88 


Israel Rice Ju r 


20 


Eben r Eaton 


52 


Micah Rice 


4 


Will" 1 Grout 


35 


Isaac Smith 


50 


Francis Jones 


64 


Cap' Tho s Damon 


20 


Cap 1 Jesse Ernes 


5 


John Barney 


4 







The foregoing lists indicate a patriotic zeal highly com- 
mendable to the citizens of Sudbury. The town had a 
population of twenty-one hundred and sixty with about five 
hundred ratable polls ; and it is supposed that, during the 
war, from four to five hundred men had some service either 
in camp or field. Of these soldiers, one was brigadier- 



408 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

general, three were colonels, two were majors, two were adju- 
tants, two were surgeons, twenty-four were captains and 
twenty-nine were lieutenants. We hear of Sudbury men 
from Concord to Bunker Hill, and from there to the High- 
lands of the Hudson. Where Washington went they fol- 
lowed. They stood near Stark in that post of danger by the 
bank of the Mystic. They were ordered to strike the front 
of Burgoyne at the north, and they endured the rigors of a 
Canadian winter in the attempt to gain Canada for the Con- 
tinental cause. It matters not where they were found, they 
were true to their commander and loyal to every trust. The 
officers were the friends of the great leaders of the American 
army, and the record of the achievements of the sons ot 
Sudbury, in the old French and Indian AVar period, was not 
broken when they met in open field the discipline and expe- 
rience of the veteran troops of the British throne. Wherever 
:l n English front was deployed, Sudbury soldiers, if ordered, 
never flinched from meeting it. They went into the field to 
stay, or, it" they returned, to rally if again called to the 
conflict. The summons to town-meeting at home was but 
as the long roll of the civilian which called him to devise 
means for filing and equipping the quota of troops or 
to assist the families of men at the front. Ticonderoga, 
Saratoga, Stillwater and White Plains were familiar names 
in old Sudbury. The battle-fields of the Revolution were 
not alone heard of by the children in the little red school- 
houses on the town's common land, but they heard them 
talked of in the household by those who had been upon them 
in the measured march or counter-march, the advance, 
retreat, or pursuit, until they were as well known as the 
broad acres on their own peaceful farms. The old king's or 
queen's arm in the corner had its history. The bullet-pouch 
had been emptied time after time into the ranks of the foe, 
and the cocked hat that long hung by the fireside was be- 
dimed, not by the smoke from the hearth, but by the dust 
and smoke of battle. That the soldiers were in places of 
peril is indicated by the following record of casualties, 
though probably but a part of them are here recorded. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 409 

CASUALTIES TO SUDBURY SOLDIERS. 
KILLED. 

Deacon Josiah Haynes, Aged 80, April 19 th 1775 

Asahel Read April 19 th 1775 

Joshua Haynes Jr, of Capt Aaron Haynes' Company, June th 1775, at 

Bunker Hill. 
Sergeant Thadeus Moore, 1777, at Saratoga 
Benjamin Whitney, — By accident — 

WOUNDED. 

Gen, John Nixon at Bunker Hill Cornelius Wood 

Nathan Maynard : : Nahum Haynes 

Capt, David Moore Lieut, Joshua Clapp, wounded at 

Joshua Haynes Saratoga 

Benjamin Barry, lost an arm in Canada Expedition, 1776 

DIED OF SICKNESS. 

Sergeant Major Jesse Moore Sergeant Samuel Maynard, of the 

Sergeant Hopestill Brown small pox, at Ouebeck with 

Sergeant Elijah Willis Arnold, 1776 

AT TICONDEROGA. 

Ensign Timothy Underwood Oliver Sanderson 

Daniel Underwood James Puffer 

Phinehas Gleason Stephen Puffer, of Capt Daniel 

Solomon Rice Bowker's Co., Col Webb's Reg' 

Timothy Rice died Oct 3 d 

Josiah Cutter 

TAKEN PRISONER AND NEVER HEARD OF. 

Thadeus Harrington Thomas Dalrimple 

Thomas Moore Daniel Haynes. 

LOST PRIVATEERING. 

Isaac Moore Silas Goodenow 

Lemuel Goodenow Peletiah Parmenter 

PERSONS WHO MET WITH CASUALTIES THE NATURE OF WHICH IS NOT 

SPECIFIED. 

John Brewer James Demander 

John Bemis Timothy Mossman. 

" Green be the graves where her martyrs are lying ; 
Shroudless and tombless they sank to their rest; 
While o'er their ashes the starry fold flying 

Wraps the proud eagle they roused from his nest." 

Iii closing this account of Sudbury's military service we 
. will give some facts in the life of General Nixon. 



410 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

SKETCH OF GENERAL NIXON. 

Gen. John Nixon was a son of Christopher Nixon who 
went to Fraraingham about 1724, where seven children were 
born of whom John was the oldest. At an early age, being 
but a mere boy, he entered the army, and at the instigation 
of older persons he left unlawfully, but clemency was shown 
him and he was allowed to return to the ranks. His subse- 
quent career proved him to be a true soldier. 

In 1745, when he was but twenty years old, he was in the 
Pepperell Expedition to Louisburg, and lieutenant in Cap- 
tain Newell's company at Crown Point in 1755. Later in 
the war he served as captain. At one time, when operating 
against the French forces, he was led into an ambuscade and 
only forced his way out with the loss of most of his men. 
As before noticed, at the beginning of the Revolutionary 
War he served as captain of a company of minute men. 
April 24, 1775, he received the commission of colonel. He 
fought and was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill. He 
went with the army under Washington to New York, and 
was promoted, August 9, to brigadier-general. His promo- 
tion to the rank of general of brigade was on recommenda- 
tion of Washington, who stated to Congress that Nixon's 
military talents and bravery entitled him to promotion. In 
his new position he had, for a time, command of two regi- 
ments and a force of artillery at Governor's Island, New 
York Harbor. August 27, he left there, and subsequently 
operated with the army in the northern campaign in New 
York State against Burgoyne. When it was decided to 
advance against the latter, General Gates ordered Nixon and 
two other commanders to make the attack. A cannon ball 
passed so near his head that the sight and hearing on one 
side were impaired. After the surrender of Burgoyne, 
General Nixon and some others were detailed to escort the 
prisoners to Cambridge. About that time he had a furlough 
of several months, in which time he married his second wife. 
General Nixon was on the court-martial — with Generals 
Clinton, Wayne and Muhlenburg, and of which Gen. Ben- 
jamin Lincoln was president — for the trial of General 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



411 



Schuyler for the neglect of duty in the campaign of 1777, by 
which Ticonderoga was surrendered. The trial was at the 
request of General Schuyler, and by it he was fully acquitted 
with the highest honors. In 1777, General Nixon's brigade 
had head-quarters for a time at Peekskill, N. Y., and for a 
time in 1777, at Albany. On Sept. 12, 1780, he closed his 
military career by resigning his commission as general, and 
retired to private life. He married for his first wife Thank- 
ful Berry, Feb. 7, 1754 ; and for his second, Hannah Gleason 
in 1778,"the widow of Capt. Micajah Gleason who was killed 
at the battle of White Plains, N. Y., in 1776. He had nine 
children, of whom five were daughters. One of them, 
Sarah, married Abel Cutler, the father of the late C. G. 
Cutler, Esq., of Sudbury. 

About 1806, he went to Middlebury, Vt. At the time of 
the battle of Lake Champlain he was living with a daughter 
at Burlington ; and, on hearing the sound of the cannon on 
the lake, he wanted a horse brought .that he might go and 
witness the fight. General Nixon died at Middlebury, 1815, 
at the advanced age of ninety. When he was thirty years 
old he bought a tract of thirty-two acres of land of Josiah 
Browne on the northern side of Nobscot Hill, where he was 
living at the breaking out of the Revolutionary War. After 
he retired from the army, he lived for a time at Framingham 
and kept tavern at Rice's End. He afterwards returned to 
Sudbury, and was admitted to the church there May 22, 1803. 
Although Mr. Nixon was pre-eminently a military man 
by nature and experience, and had known much of the hard 
fare and the rough companionship of the army, yet he was 
a man of affable address and quiet demeanor. He was of 
light complexion, medium size and cheerful disposition. He 
was a decided man and a great lover of children. One of 
his grandsons informed the writer that the old man used to 
take his grandchildren on his knee and sing war songs to 
them ; one that he remembered was as follows : — 

« Oh, why, soldiers, why, should we be melancholy, boys ? whose busi- 
ness 'tis to die. 
Through cold, hot and dry we are always bound to follow, boys, and 
scorn to fly." 



412 History of sudbury. 

C. G. Cutler, the grandson referred to, was about ninety 
years old when he repeated the verse. None of General 
Nixon's family, who bear the name, are now living in Sud- 
bury. The site of his dwelling-place is still pointed out not 
far from the run or spring land on the northerly slope of 
Nobscot, but even the last faint trace of his former dwelling- 
place time is fast wearing away, and soon nothing but the 
record will tell of this illustrious citizen and soldier of 
Sudbury. 

In considering the military service of the town in the 
Revolutionary War, w r e have only considered a part of her 
history. During that time important civil transactions were 
taking place also. There were deprivations to be endured 
by those at home : the country was burdened with debt, the 
currency was in a very uncertain state, and, because of its 
depreciated condition, there was more or less confusion in 
commercial affairs. There was as much need of sagacity on 
the part of the civilian in council, as of military men in the 
field, to direct the affairs of State and town. The town- 
meetings of those days were very important occasions, and, 
unless the people met emergencies there in a prompt and 
efficient manner, the fighting element in the field could 
accomplish but little. In this respect the people of Sudbury 
were not deficient. We have heard of no instance where a 
Tory spirit was manifest nor where a patriotic purpose was 
wanting. During the war, a large share of the town war- 
rants set forth the needs of the county or town which were 
caused by the war ; and the town-meeting that* folio wed was 
about sure to result in a generous response to the demand. 
As the history of the war period will not be complete with- 
out presenting some of these acts wc will give a few of them 
here. 

ENCOURAGEMENTS TO ENLISTMENT. 

We may well presume from the spirit manifested by the 
minute companies, more or less of whose members enlisted 
for a longer or shorter term, that patriotism was a prominent 
motive for entering the service. But the war was protracted, 
and a large share of the soldiers had families dependent upon 
them, and, hence, for the late enlistments extra inducements 




RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL B. ROGERS, So. Sudbury 
Sketch of Family History Page 450. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 413 

were to be expected. To narrate all that was done at each 
successive town-meeting would be needless ; we will, there- 
fore, give only a few specimens which will serve to show the 
spirit of the people. 

In 1777, twenty pounds were voted to each man who 
would enlist ; also the town chose a committee to provide for 
soldiers' families. 

In 1778, voted some three hundred and seventy pounds 
for clothing for the soldiers ; also the town committee were 
instructed to hire men for the army for seventy-four pounds 
each "if they could if not, to give more." The same year 
" voted to give 50 pounds to each man who would enlist as 
a part of the town quota for 9 months." 

The same year a committee was appointed " to hire 12 
men to go to the North River for 8 months or such time as 
they will agree for." 

The same year " 14 men were hired for the service of 
Providence." 

On May 17, 1779, voted to " hire the men to be detatched 
from the militia of this town to inarch to Tiverton, R. I., 
and granted 1300 pounds to hire the men with and 200 
pounds to provide things for their families." 

In 1779, a committee was chosen " to hire men for the 
public service in behalf of the town whenever there may be 
a call on the militia for service." 

At the same date, four hundred and twenty pounds were 
granted " to hire five soldiers with for service of Tiverton 
R. I." 

The same date, thirty-nine hundred pounds were granted 
to hire thirteen soldiers for nine months' service. 

In 1781, voted that the committee should attend to " hiring 
the town quota for three years without loss of time and if the 
men cannot be obtained in town then they are to apply else- 
where," fifteen pounds in specie was granted for the purpose. 

As an inducement to enlistment the town sometimes 
offered live stock. The following is a specimen : — 

" We being a Committee appointed by the Town of Sud- 
bury to hire the Town Quota of men for three years or 



414 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

During the war agreable to a Resolve of Court Dec 2, 1780 
do agree with John Ruck, Naynam Haynes, Zechrus Robi- 
son and Oliver Robison who has enlisted themselves into the 
Sarvis agreable to Law, Resolve to give each of them 
Eighteen this Spring Calves, Said Calves to be kept for and 
Delivered to the above Parsons when they are Regularly 
Discharged from the Said Sarvis, also Three Thousing Dol- 
lars old Currency to be paid Each when they are properly 

mustered. 

" Asahel Wheeler \ 

" Aaron Haynes > Committee." 

" Jon a Rice ) 

We give below a copy of a soldier's Enlistment Paper. 

We the subscribers do hereby severally inlist Ourselves into the 
Service of the United Colonies of America to serve until the first day 
of April next, if the service shall require it; and each of us do engage 
to furnish and carry with us into the Service a good effective Firearm 
and Blanket also a good Bayonet and Cartridge Pouch if possible. And 
we severally consent to be formed by such Persons as the General 
Court shall appoint into a Company of Ninety men including one 
Captain Two Lieutenants one Ensign four Sergeants, four Corporals 
one Drummer and one Fifer, to be elected by the Companies, and when 
formed we engage to march to Headquarters of the American Army 
with the utmost Expedition and to be under the command of such Field 
Officer or Officers as the Gen. Court shall appoint. And we farther 
agree during the Time aforesaid to be subject to such Generals as are 
or shall be appointed ; and to be under such Regulations in every 
Respect as are provided for the Army aforesaid. Dated this Day of 

A. D. 1776. 

Jesse Jones Zebediah Farrar. 

John Peter Richard Heard 

Sarson Belcher Joseph Smith 

Timothy Underwood John Merriam. 

Josia Farrar Abraham Parmenter 

Ephraim Smith Benjamin Dudley 

Phinehas Glezen Israel Jones 
Uriah Moore. 

Besides the furnishing of men and equipments various 
other services were from time to time required of the town. 
At one time the towns were assessed for hay for the army at 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 415 

Cambridge, and Sudbury was required to furnish nine tons; 
only three other towns were required to furnish as much. 
At another time they were called on to provide men and 
teams to convey gunpowder to Springfield. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

1775-1800. 



Attention the Town Bestowed on its Home Needs during the War. — 
Specimen Report of a Town-Meeting. — Attitude of the Town 
towards the Measures of Boston Merchants relative to the Reduc- 
tion of Prices. — Appointment of Delegate to a Convention Called 
for the Purpose of Framing a New Constitution. — Committee 
Appointed to Regulate Prices. — Report of Committee. — Vote on 
the New Constitution. — Educational Matters. — Division of the 
Town. — Committee on a Line of Division. — Committee Appointed 
to Present a Remonstrance to the Court — Instructions to the Com- 
mittee. — Act of the Court Authorizing a Division.— Committee 
Appointed to Make a Division of the Money and Real Estate.— 
Report of the Committee. — Appointment of Other Committees.— 
Financial Report.— Official Boards for 1780 and 1781.— Miscellaneous. 
— Shay's Rebellion. — Erection of Meeting-House. — Miscellaneous. 

The roll of drums and the bugle's wailing 

Vex the air of our vales no more ; 
The spear is beaten to hooks of pruning, 

The share is the sword the soldiers wore. 

Whittier. 

The following specimen of work done at a fall town- 
meeting in the very midst of the war shows that home needs 
were not neglected while military matters were absorbing so 
much attention. Nov. 8, 1779, the town granted money as 
follows, namely : — 

To pay the several town Debts /1457 : : 

To pay the Rev d Ministers their Salary 148 : : 



416 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Gratuity to the Rev d Ministers .£2000 : : 

for the Grammar School 1000 : : 

for a Reading and Writing School 2000 : : 

for the support of the Poor 2000 : : 

to pay the Assessors 200 : : 

to pay the town Treasrer 40 : : 

to the Towns Com ttee for money paid to the Last Six 

months men to the State of New York 500 : : 

to the Selectmen the money paid to s d men by order of 

the General Court 500 : : 

to pay the money that has been paid to the six months 

men to Rhode Island 180 : : 

to provide for the Continental families 800 : : 

At the same town meeting adjourned to Dec. G th 1779 the town 
granted six hundred pounds to enable a committee chosen at said 
meeting to oppose a Division of the town and to carry on said affair. 

James Thompson, Town Clerk, 

At a town meeting held July 12, 1779, it was 

Voted that this town highly approves of the measures taken by the 
merchants and other the inhabitants of the town of Boston in order to 
reduce the exorbitant prices of the necessaries of life. Consequently 
to appreciate our Currency that the town will adopt such reasonable 
measures as may be agreed upon by the joint Committees from the 
several towns in this state. It also voted to send Major Joseph Curtis 
to represent them in the convention to meet in Cambridge for the 
purpose of framing a new constitution or form of government, and 
instructed him to cause a printed copy of the form of a constitution 
that might be agreed upon to be transmitted to the Select Men of the 
town. 

Aug 9th. The town voted to appoint seven persons to state the 
prices of Innholders' labour, Theaming, manufactures and all other 
articles not taken up by the convention at Concord. 

Aug. lGth. The town having met according to adjournment, the 
Committee appointed to state the prices of all such articles as were not 
taken up by the Convention at Concord reported as follows 

West India Rum by the gallon £Q. 9 

New England Rum by the gallon 4.15 

Coffe by the pound 4.15 

Sugar by the pound from 11 to 14. Chocolate by the pound 24. 
Bohe Tea by the pound 5 : 1G. Cotton wool by the pound 37 : G. 
German Steel 30 D» Salt best quality by the Bushel £\0 : 10 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 417 

Country Produce — Indian Corn by the Bushel 80, Rye by the 
Bushel, £5 : 10 Wheat by the Bushel £8 : 10 Beaf by the pound 5 
Muton, Lamb and Veal by the pound 3 : 6 Foreign Beaf and Pork as 
sett by the convention. Butter by the pound 11 Chese D° 6 Milk by 
the quart 16 English Hay q r hundred 30 

Men's shoes 6 lbs , women's shoes 4 lbs , cotton cloth 4 : 0, 
Labor. — teaming under 30 miles 18, carpenter work by the day 60, 
Mason per day 60, Maids wages per week 5 Dollars. Oxen per day 
24, Horse Hire 3 per mile. Inn Holder a good dinner 20, common 
dinner 12. Best supper and Breakfast 15, each common Do. 12, 
Lodgings 4. Horse keeping 24 hours on hay 15, on grass 10, a yoke of 
oxen a night 15. 

The grade of prices thus established was made in accord- 
ance with a resolve of a convention that met at Concord, 
and the list of prices made was in depreciated currency that 
was in ratio of about twenty shillings paper to one shilling 
in silver. " If any one should persist in refusing to accept 
these prices, their names should be published in the public 
News Paper and the good people of the town should with- 
hold all trade and intercourse from them." 

On May 17, 1779, a vote was taken to see how many 
favored the formation of a new constitution or form of 
government. Fifty -nine voted in the affirmative and ten 
in the negative. The representative was instructed to 
vote for calling a State convention to form the new con- 
stitution. 

At a meeting held May 22, 1780, " The Constitution 
being read, the town voted that they think it reasonable 
that each town in the State should pay their own proper 
representatives both their travel to and attendance at the 
General Court, and desire that clause providing for their 
pay for travel out of the public treasury should be altred, 
41 voting for this alteration and 8 against it. They desire 
that the word Protestant may be inserted in the room of, or 
added to the word Christian Religion, in qualifications of the 
Govenor and all other officers both civil and military, 30 for 
and 19 against it. 

" They also desire that the time for revising the Constitu- 
tion may not exceed seven years, 55 voting for this altera- 
tion, one against it." 



418 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. 

Prominent among the records relating' to educational 
matters in the early part of the period was the following: 
1773. " To Daniel Bowker for building N. W. School House 
18 pounds, to the same for building Lanham School House 
23-6-8. To Ambrose Tower for building school house near 
west meeting house 17-7-4. To W m Dudley to building 
the Farm end school house 26-13-4." In 1774, a vote was 
taken to see " if the town will order that the several school 
houses in said town shall be supplied with wood for the 
future at the charge of the town." It " passed in the nega- 
tive." It may be that it had been customary for the citizens 
of each district to contribute wood for the school-houses 
and that this was an early movement made to have it sup- 
plied by the town. That the school-houses were warmed in 
those times is evident. The following year the town granted 
eight pounds for supplying the several school-houses with 
wood for the year, and repeatedly after this were sums 
granted for this purpose. That the school-houses at that 
time were warmed by means of a fire-place is indicated by 
the following record of 1782: " To Jacob Reed for mending 
hearth at Lanham school house." In 1778, the town voted 
to build a new school-house near Mr. Phineas Puffers. In 
1770, it was voted to build a new school-house in the north- 
west, corner of the town, appropriating the two old school- 
houses for the building of the new. 

DIVISION OF THE TOWN. 

A prominent event of this period was the division of the 
town. The proposition came before the town by petition 
of .John Tilton and others June 25, 1778, in the East 
meeting-house. tk The question was put whether it was the 
minds of the Town, that the Town of Sudbury should be 
divided into two towns, and it was passed in the affirmative. 
And appointed the following gentlemen to agree on a Divi- 
sion Line and Report at the Adjournment of this meeting 
viz Col Ezekiel How Cap' Richard Heard M r Nathan Loring 
M r Phinehas Glezen M r John Maynard and M r John 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 419 

Meriam." The committee reported that they were not 
agreed as to the line of division. 

At a meeting held Jan. 1, 1779, the town appointed 
Major Joseph Curtis, Thomas Plympton, Esq., Mr. John 
Balcom, Capt. Richard Heard and Capt. Jonathan Rice to 
agree on a line of division. At the same meeting measures 
were taken to petition the General Court. Strong opposi- 
tion at once manifested itself, and the town was warned to 
meet at the West meeting-house December 6, — 

" 1 st To choose a moderator 

" 2 d To see if the town will choose a Committee to act in 
behalf of this Town at the Great and General Court of this 
State to Oppose a Division of s d Town and give the Com tee So 
chosen Such Instruction Relating to said affair as the Town 
may think proper and grant a Sum of Mone}^ to Enable said 
Com tee to Carry on Said Business " 

The meeting resulted as follows : — 

" 1 st Chose Asahel Wheeler moderator 

" 2 d Chose Col Ezekiel Howe M r W m Rice Ju r and Thomas 
Plympton Esq a committee for the Purpose contained in this 
article and granted the sum of three hundred Pounds to 
Enable their Com tee to Carry on said affair then adjourned 
this meeting to tomorrow at three oclock at the same place. 

" Tuesday Decern 1 " 7th The Town met according to 
adjournment proceeded and gave their Com tee Chosen to 
oppose a division of this Town &c the following Instruc- 
tions viz. 

" To Col° Ezekiel Howe, Tho s Plympton Esq and M r Rice 
Ju r you being chosen a Com ,ee by the Town of Sudbury to 
oppose a division of s d Town as Lately Reported by a 
Com tee of the Hon ,e General Court of this State 

" You are hereby authorized and Instructed to preferr a 
Petition or memorial to the General Court in behalf of Said 
Town. Praying that the Bill for Dividing S d Town May be 
set a fire or altred setting forth the Great Disadvantages the 
Westerly part of the Town will Labour under by a Division 
of said Town as reported by s d Com tee viz : as said report 
deprives them of all the gravel and obliges them to maintain 



420 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the one half of the Great Causeways on the Easterly part 
of said Town notwithstanding the necessary repairs of the 
Highways on the westerly part of said Town are nearly 
double to that on the East. 

" Said Report also deprives them of the Pound, it also 
deprives them of a Training field though Given by the Pro- 
prietors of Said Town to the Westerly side for a Training 
field for Ever 

" And further as there is no provision made in said report 
for the Support of the Poor in Said Town which will be a 
verry heavy burthen to the West side of the Town as the 
report now stands. Also at said adjournment the Town 
Granted the sum of three Hundred pounds, in addition to 
the other Grant of three hundred Pounds to Enable their 
Com tee to carry on said Petition 

" Then the town by their vote dissolved this meeting " 

But, notwithstanding the vigorous protest made by promi- 
nent citizens, their arguments did not prevail with the 
Court, and an article was passed, April 10, 1780, which 
authorized a division of the town. A committee was ap- 
pointed by the town to consider a plan for the division of 
property and an equitable adjustment of the obligations 
of the East and West parts of the town. At an adjourned 
meeting, held March 14, the committee rendered the follow- 
ing report which was accepted and agreed upon. 

" We the Subscribers being appointed a committee to Join 
a Com tee from East Sudbury to make a Division of the 
Money and Estate belonging to the Town of Sudbury and 
East Sudbury agreeable to an Act of the General Court 
Passed the 10 th of April 1780, for Dividing the Town of 
Sudbury, proceded and agreed as followeth viz : that all the 
Money Due on the Bonds and Notes being the Donation of 
Mary Doan to the East Side of the River be Disposed of to 
East Sudbury according to the will of the Donor. And 
the money Due on Bonds and Notes given by Mr. Peter 
Noyes and Capt Joshua Ilayncs for the Benefit of the Poor 
and Schooling be Equally Divided between Each of the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 421 

S d Towns, which Sum is 423 : 3 : 4 That all the Money 
Due on Bonds and Notes for the New Grant Lands, or 
Money Now in the Treasury or in Constables' hands be 
Equally Divided between Each of Said Towns which Sums 
are as follows viz :. 

"Due on New Grant Bonds and Notes 133 : 14 : 7 
"Due from Constable 3110 : 10 : 7 

" Due from the Town Treasurer 348 : 6:5 

" And that all Land that belonged to the Town of Sud- 
bury or for the benefit of the Poor shall be Divided agree- 
able to the Act of the General Court for Dividing Said 
Town. And that the Pound and Old Bell and the Town 
Standard of Weights and Measures which belonged to the 
Town of Sudbury be Sold at publick vandue and the pro- 
ceeds to be Equally divided between the towns of Sudbury 
and East Sudbury. 

"Also that the Town Stock of Arms and Amanition be 
Divided as set forth in the Act of the General Court for 
Dividing the Town of Sudbury. And if any thing shall be 
made to appear to be Estate or property that Should belong 
to the town of Sudbury before the Division of the above 
articles it Shall be Equally Divided between the Town of 
Sudbury and the Town of East Sudbury. And that the 
Town of East Sudbury shall Support and Maintain as their 
Poor During their Life the Widow Vickry and Abigail 
Isgate, And all Such Persons as have Gained a Residence in 
the Town of Sudbury before the division of S d Town and 
shall hereafter be brought to the Town of Sudbury or the 
Town of East Sudbury as their Poor Shall be Supported by 
that Town in which they Gained their Inhabitance. Also 
that the Debts Due from Said Town of Sudbury Shall be 
paid the one half by the Town of Sudbury and the other 
half by the Town of East Sudbury which Sum is 2977 : 7 : 1 

" Asher Cutler Asahel Wheeler \ 

" Tho s Walker Isaac Maynard [ Committee " 

" James Thomson ) 

Other committees concerning the matter of division were 
appointed the same year. The assessors were to make a 



1487. 


9. 


in 


1661 . 


19. 


") 


142 lbs 




394 lbs 




4 






1183, 


10. 





391 


.15. 





27 


. 0. 





20 


. 8. 






422 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

division with East Sudbury of the men required of Sudbury 
and East Sudbury for three years ; also to make division of 
clothing, beef, etc., required of said town. A committee, 
April 2o, 1781, made the following financial exhibit: — 

Due to Sudbury in the Constable's and Treasurer's hands ,£1487 

That the town had to pay the sum of 

Sudbury's part of the Powder 

Their part of the Lead 

their part of the Guns on hand 

The old Bell, Pound and Town Standard of Weights and 
Measures sold for 

Sudbury's part of the above sum is 

Received of money 

The charge of sale 

The remainder to be paid by the treasurer of E. Sudbury. 

Money due to the town in M r Cutler's hands taken out of 
the State Treasury for what was advanced by the 
Town of Sudbury for the support of Soldiers' families 
who are in the Continental Army 1200 .2.0 

In the division Sherman's Bridge was left partly in each 
town, and the river formed about half the town's eastern 
boundary. At a place on Sand Hill the town lino was made 
irregular in order to admit the training-field and the Caleb 
Wheeler farm, which was a triangular piece of about forty- 
three acres. The definition of the town boundary line and 
the clause which retained the training-field and the Wheeler 
farm in the town is as follows : — 

" Beginning with the river between Concord and Lincoln, 
thence running with the river till it comes to the mouth of a 
ditch on the west side of said river between the lands of 
W m Baldwin Esq, and Eliakim Rice; — thence on said ditch 
to the County road leading to Stow, crossing said road; 
connected (or continuing) on the South side thereof till it 
comes to the line between land of Nath 1 Rice and Jona. 
Carter; — thence southerly with the line between said Rice 
& Carter to land of Elisha Wheelor ; then running Easterly 
with the line between said Carter and Wheelor to the 
County roading leading to Marlboro'; — thence running up 
and bounded on the Westerly side of said road till it comes 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 423 

opposite to the line between the heirs of Lieut. Dan 1 Good- 
now and land in possession of Robert Ernes at "Sandy 
Hill"; — thence crossing said road to the corner aforesaid; 
— thence running to a White Oak the head of Capt. Moses 
Maynard's meadow; — thence on a straight line; — thence 
on a straight line to a swamp-White-Oak on the bank of the 
River — eastwardly from the dwelling house of Capt. Moses 
Stone; thence up the river to Framingham line." 

" And it is also enacted that the House and lands of 
Caleb Wheelor — together with the Training-field adjoining 
thereto, shall remain to the Town of Sudbury." 

In the division provision was made for the maintenance, 
by Sudbury, of the Canal Bridge and that portion of the 
old causeway which extends from the bridge westerly to the 
upland. As the support of the Canal Bridge came upon 
Sudbury and mention is made of it in various places in the 
Town Records, it may be of interest here to state something 
of its history. This bridge is so named because it crossed 
that portion of the river which it is supposed ran through an 
artificial channel. No bridge in that immediate vicinity but 
the " Town bridge " is mentioned in the earlier records, and 
the stream, as before stated (see page 93), originally passed 
near the eastern upland. The earliest record we have any 
knowledge of, which contains reference to this bridge, is in 
1768, which is a bill for the repairing of the " new bridge 
near Dea. Stone's, Lanham, Sherman's, the Town bridge and 
the Canal bridge." This shows its existence at that time, 
but gives no intimation as to when it was made ; neither is 
there any record so far as we know as to when the canal was 
constructed. An artificial opening might not have been 
made there until years after the bridge was made. The first 
water-way may have been a natural one which only required 
a small crossing, and may subsequently have been enlarged 
by the current. In other words, when the causeway was 
built a small outlet may have been left in it at this point for 
the purpose of allowing the water to pass off the meadow 
more readily in time of Hood. This passage way at first may 
have been but an open fordway. In the process of time, as 



424 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the causeway was gradually raised and the channel or 
aperture naturally increased in size, a more substantial 
bridge may have been required. Another theory is that the 
making of the canal and the bridge was the result of raising 
the causeway at one time or another. If the town succeeded 
in raising the money when it tried to do so by means of a 
lottery in 1758, the Canal Bridge may have been built at 
that time. As there was opposition to raising the causeway, 
because it was supposed that it would set back the water, 
the statement being made that there was " not one foot of 
fall in the river for 25 or 30 miles," an aperture might have 
been left in the raised road or causeway or a canal cut to 
obviate the difficulty, and the canal would require a bridge. 
Still another theory is that the canal was built by private 
enterprise. Mr. Abel Gleason, now one of the oldest inhabi- 
tants of Wayland, states that when he was a boy, ten or 
twelve years old, he helped make hay on both sides of the 
canal for Colonel Baldwin, the owner of the land; and that 
the colonel told him that " the water always made its way 
over the ' oxbow ' more or less ; but at one time a Mr. 
Goodnow and another man, whose name he could not re- 
member, dug out a straight channel for the water to run in." 
A channel once dug would naturally increase until suffi- 
ciently large to allow all the water to pass through it. The 
short causeway from Sudbury to the Canal Bridge w T as laid 
out by the county commissioners in 1832, and the same year 
was made under the supervision of a committee from East 
Sudbury. 

The following officers were chosen, just before the divi- 
sion, at a town-meeting held in the East and West meeting- 
houses, March 6, 1780 : " Selectmen — Capt. Asahel Wheeler. 
W m Baldwin Esq. Mr. Thomas Walker, Capt. Caleb Moul- 
ton, Mr. Isaac Maynard. Capt. Thadeus Russel, Mr. Benja- 
min Smith. Town Clerk and Treasurer James Thompson. 
Other officers chosen were 3 Assessors, 4 Constables, A 
' committee of correspondence,' consisting of five persons. 4 
' wardins.' 2 surveyors of shingles, 2 sealers of leather, 3 
fence viewers. 2 deer reeves, 4 tythingmen, 4 hog reeves, 
2 field drivers, 8 surveyors of highway, 2 fish reeves, and 2 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 425 

clerks of the market. Total on the official board fifty-five 
persons." 

After the division the town went on with its usual 
activity. At a town-meeting held March 5, 1781, the fol- 
lowing officers were chosen : " Moderator — Capt. Jonathan 
Rice. Selectmen — Mr. W m Rice, Capt. Moses Stone, Lieut. 
Jacob Reed, Lieut. Abijah Brigham, Capt. Samuel Knight. 
Clerk and Treasurer, W m Rice." The records state that the 
town-meetings were frequently held at the house of Mr. 
Johnson. Probably this was the house of Aaron Johnson, 
Innholder. Some of the early town records and acts after 
its division are the following : Oct. 8, 1781, granted " Rev. 
Mr. Bigelow for salary the ensuing year seventy-four pounds 
in specie, also granted for a grammar school for a year, 12 
pounds and ordered that said school be kept at the school 
house near the meeting house, also granted for support of a 
reading and writing school 48 pounds and ordered the same 
to be kept in the other four school houses in the same pro- 
portion. Also granted 60 pounds to furnish their quota of 
beef for the supply of the army. Also allowed 16 shillings 
for the taking care of the meeting house, and chose John 
Green to take care of the meeting house and dig graves as 
occasion required for the ensuing year." At the same meet- 
ing money was granted for the supply of the soldiers for the 
Continental army. 

In the warrant of a meeting dated Jan. 15, 1781, was an 
article " to see if the town would choose a committee and 
empower them to bring an action against or proceed other- 
wise in a suit of law with the town of Boston for their 
bringing Mary Piper and her children into Sudbury, she and 
her children not being able to support themselves and not 
belonging to Sudbury." At a subsequent meeting the com- 
mittee was chosen to proceed against Boston as suggested. 

In 1782, it was " voted to pay Rev. Mr. Bigelow's salary 
in specie 111 pounds, of which Roland Bogle's part to 
collect as constable was £52 — 11 s — 9 d and Mr. Joshua 
Haynes part as constable to collect was £58 — 8 s — 3 d ." In 
1782, the town ordered their committee to build a suitable 
place at the school-house ki near the meeting house for 



426 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

hanging their bell on instead of repairing the place where 
it now stands." In 1785, the number of selectmen chosen 
was reduced to three. In 1787, it was voted to rebuild the 
canal bridge. The same year Isaac Lincoln was chosen to 
take care of the meeting-house and ring the bell, for which 
he was to have eighteen shillings, which was the lowest 
price bid. 

shay's rebellion. 

In 1786, occurred an event called Shay's Rebellion or In- 
surrection. The cause of it was the unsettled condition of 
the country, its depreciated currency, and a lack of business 
prosperity in general. A small portion of the community 
sought to adjust matters by resorting to arms. An effort 
was made by some of the insurgents to prevent the holding 
of the county courts, and, on several occasions, the presence 
of troops was required to preserve the peace. Concord, 
being a county town, was one of the imperiled places, and 
there were indications that on Sept. 12, 1768, an outbreak 
might occur there, as on that day a company of about one 
hundred men assembled there under command of Job Shat- 
tuck of Groton, and Nathan and Sylvanus Smith of Shirley. 
Matters, however, were adjusted without any open out- 
break. From the proximity of Concord to Sudbury, nat- 
urally the town would be expected to render military service 
at that place if it was needed, and also to furnish aid, in 
common with the other towns, for the suppression of the 
rebellion. The following papers are supposed to refer to 
such service. 

" Sudbury 10 th September 1786 
" Sir you will fully comply with the orders you received 
from me this Day, Excepting your Marching by the shotest 
Rout to Concord, you will instead of Marching to Concord 
March with your Company Imbodied to Sudbury Meeting 
House at Eight oclock in the Morning in order to join the 
Reg 1 

" Capt Benj Sawin yours &c Jon a Rice Lt. C. Comd " 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 427 

" Commonwealth of Massachusetts D r 
" To the Selectmen of Sudbury for furnishing the men 
that was called out to Supres the Late Rebellion agreeably 
to the Militia Law to three different times to seven Days 
each at four Shillings P r Day." 

Nov. 24, 1788, it was voted to hear the report of a com- 
mittee who had, at a previous meeting, been appointed to 
present a report of the depreciation of Mr. Bigelow's salary. 
They " reported that the sum of .£155 — 18 s — 9 d was due to 
Mr. Bigelow on the deficiency of his salaries for the years 
1776, 1777, 1778 and half of 1779," and it was voted to pay 
X120 to make up the deficiency. 

In 1789, the town " empowered a committee to purchase 
the land of Mr. Doane for the purpose of enlarging the 
burying ground and voted that the committee provide and 
build the wall around the yard." When the town were 
assembled in October, 1789, and the committee reported 
relative to the land for enlarging the burying-ground, it was 
voted " that the inhabitants of the town now present go 
out and inspect the land proposed, when the inhabitants 
returned, and a vote was taken, but passed in the negative ; 
this question came up if they would accept of the land if 
they could have it free of expense and they voted in the 
affirmative." 

In 1792, the town voted to sell the training field in the 
southeast part of the town, and " the Committee formerly 
employed to sell the Work house " were appointed to attend 
to the work. The same year measures were taken for the 
prevention of the small-pox. The article concerning it in 
the warrant was " To see if the town would admit the Small 
Pox into sd town by Inoculation." " It passed in the nega- 
tive." The following year the selectmen were ( instructed 
" to take measures to prevent the spreading of the small 
pox, and to prosecute the persons who transgressed the laws 
respecting the disease." Instructions were also given " to 
make diligent search to see if there were any persons who 
had been inoculated for small pox contrary to law." 



428 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Iii accordance with a vote of the General Court in 1794, 
a map was made of the town. This map, a copy of which 
is in the State Archives (Vol. II., page 7), was made by 
Mathias Mosmon, and bears date April 17, 1795. A copy 
of it is here given together with the following statement and 
description by the author of the map : — 

"The above Plan of the Town of Sudbury in the County 
of Middlesex, Common Wealth of Massachusetts was taken 
by the Direction of a Committee Chosen by the Inhabitants 
of S d Sudbury in obedience to an order of the General Court 
dated June 26 th — 1794. on the above plan Air inserted 
and described Each Town line that meets or joins with 
Sudbury. the Rivers are also accurately surveyed and 
planned, the breadth of which are as followeth. the River 
Elsabeth is from 4 to 5 rods wide, but [there is] no public 
bridge over the river where it joins Sudbury, the other river 
called Sudbury or Concord River is from 7 to 8 or 9 rods 
wide, and [there is] one bridge over sd river where it joins 
Sudbury called Sharman's Bridge, 100 feet long, one-half 
belonging to Sudbury, and 25 rod of Causeway. Sudbury 
also [is to] build and keep in repair the Canal Bridge in 
East Sudbury Long causeway and 52 rods of s a causeway. 
the County roads are also surveyed and planned, in Sud- 
bury is but one house for public worship which is noted, 
the center of the town is about one mile northwestwardly 
from the meetinghouse, the distance from S d Sudbury to 
Cambridge the shire-town of the county is 17 miles, and 
from s d Sudbury to Boston the Metropolis of the Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts through Watertown and Roxbury 
is 22 miles, and through & over West Boston Bridge is 20 
miles, in Sudbury is but 3 ponds of any considerable mag- 
nitude which has been Surveyed and planned as above, 
here is no falls of Water worthy of note, in S d Sudbury is 
not a hill whose summit is lofty, in the Southwardly part 
of s d town is part of a hill called Penobscott which will be 
described in the plan of Framingham. No manufactories are 
erected in Sudbury, in s d [town] are three grist mills, two 
saw mills, and one fulling mill as above described, on a 






I 



KnivM y rfrinl Mill 







c , StONES 






EAST SUDBURY 



T O W 



■ line l?ti? 



r jsdjtsrrwn r kl-i^ liJZ Jirz— — 




A- nw-' 




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>8«» lr Qj. 



Ts^ysi- 



ofll* 



M 

'•■^TAKE ft STONES 
/ ACTON a CONCORD con 




6£O.M.WAL>.&>CCo.. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 429 

Stream known by several different names as above, the 
width of which where it leaves Marlborough and enters 
Sudbury is not much more than a yard wide and where it 
enters East Sudbury is about 5 yards wide, in the North- 
wardly part of s d Sudbury a mine has been discovered and 

worked upon, the depth of the hole is about feet in 

a Ledge of rocks supposed to be a copper mine but has not 
been worked in since the beginning of the Revolution, here 
is not Iron Works or furnaces, said plan is laid down by a 
scale of 200 rods to an inch Surveyed by 

" Mathias Mosmon 
" Dated at Sudbury April 17 = 1795." 

THE NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 

In the latter part of the period the town took measures to 
erect a new meeting-house. In 1789, " chose a committee 
to look out a place suitable for a new meeting house, for 
drafting a plan, and receiving proposals from individuals in 
relation to building the same." They subsequently decided 
upon the shape and dimensions, but, different opinions pre- 
vailing relative to the location, the construction of the build- 
ing was deferred for some years. 

Oct. 5, 1795, the town again voted " to build a new Meet- 
ing House, that it should be erected on the common land 
near to the present meeting house, and that the south and 
west cells of sd house should occupy the ground on which 
the south and west cells of the present meeting house now 
stand upon, and that the enlargement of the meetinghouse 
should extend North and East. Voted to accept a plan 
drawn by Capt Thomson which plan is 60 feet by 52 with 
a porch at one end with a steeple or spear on the top of sd 
porch. Voted that the Commitee for building the house 
should consist of nine persons, and that they should receive 
nothing for their services." In 1796, it was voted that a 
bell should be purchased for the meeting-house. October, 
1798, the building committee presented to the town the sum- 
mary of receipts and expenditures which was six thousand 
twenty-five dollars and ninety-three cents. The town 
granted three hundred dollars for the purpose of grading 



430 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the ground around the new meeting-house. Those who 
desired it were granted the privilege of working out their 
proportionate share of the expense ; the price of labor being 
nine pence per hour for a man and nine pence per hour for 
a good yoke of oxen and cart. November, 179(3, it was 
tk voted to request the Rev. M r Bigelow to preach a sermon 
at the dedication of the meeting house." At the same meet- 
ing it was " voted that the Pew Holders in the body of the 
Meeting House as soon as Divine Service is over fling their 
pew Doors wide open so as not to obstruct the passage of 
the people in the allies — that the Speaker pass out first, 
then the pew holders to pass on after as fast as Conveniently 
may be out at the front Door, then those who sit in the 
seats next — also voted that as soon as they are out they 
move off from the door steps so as to let the people have 
liberty to come out without Crowding — also voted that the 
pew holders in the galleries fling their pew doors wide open 
that they empty their pews, together with the fore seats 
first, the 2 d and 3 d seats to follow in course — also voted 
that those who come down the West pair of stairs pass out 
at the West Door those who come down the East stairs pass 
out at the East Door, and to move from the door steps so 
as to give Liberty to empty the house as soon as conven- 
iently may be. It was then voted to Choose a Committee 
for the purpose of Regulating the Assembling of the people 
at the Dedication of the Meeting House, to keep good order 
on said day and prevent damage being done to said House. 
Said Committee to consist of 12." At the same meeting 
" voted to appropriate to the use of the Singing Society in 
Said Town the front gallery and so much of the side galleries 
next the front as shall be necessary for their accommodation." 

May, 1799, the town-meeting adjourned to allow its com- 
mittee on building stables to go out and view the land ; on 
their return they reported that they had "set up a stake 
and stone at the south east corner of Lt Willis stables to the 
North east corner of the meeting house. Sd line being about 
:',;» ft back of sd meeting house." " Report was accepted." 

In 179G, the town-meetings were held at the house of Col. 
Benjamin Sawin, innholder. This was during the building 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 431 

of the new meeting-house. The same year the town 
appointed Col. Sawin's new barn and yard adjoining the 
same for a pound for a year. 

October, 1797, " The Committee previously appointed to 
select a suitable place whereon to erect a pound reported 
that said pound be erected upon the East end of the Burying 
yard, the south side to be erected about ten feet north of 
L l Reuben Rices Stone wall, the wall of sd pound to be 
5-^ ft in Height with a Hewn stick of chestnut, or white pine 
Timber 10 inches in Height upon the top thereof, the Bury- 
ing yard wall to form one side. Sd pound to be thirty feet 
square within the walls." The report was accepted, and 
twenty dollars was granted for the purpose. The committee 
appointed for letting out the building of the pound were to 
" have the privilege of all the stones on the common round 
the meeting house, excepting so many as shall be necessary 
for horse blocks." At the same meeting forty dollars was 
granted for rebuilding Lanham Bridge. 

April, 1797, voted " to provide a carriage for the town's 
use Suitable for the conveyance of Corps to the Burying 
yard." October, 1797, granted thirty dollars for the pur- 
pose of teaching a singing school for one month. In 1798, 
" Chose a Committee to let out the building of a school 
house in the north east district in place of the one which was 
burnt." Also appropriated two hundred dollars for the 
building. At the same meeting appropriated two hundred 
and fifty-five dollars for building a school-house in the centre 
district. Also at the same meeting, granted " for a harness 
for the town carriage to carry corps upon 15 : 75 " In 1799, 
voted " that the Committee that was appointed to build a 
shelter for the funeral carriage, if they think it can conven- 
iently be done, to build a place in it for storing of the towns 
stock of ammunition." 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

1800-1825. 

Early Families Residing in Sudbury about the Beginning of the Present 
Century. — Families Who Came into Sudbury during the Interval 
between the Formation oE the Town and about the Middle of the 
Present Century. — Biographical Sketches. 

Happy he whom neither wealth nor fashion, 
Nor the march of the encroaching city, 

Drives an exile 
From the hearth of his ancestral homestead. 

Longfellow. 

In entering upon the history of the nineteenth century, 
we may, with propriety, pause in our narrative to notice the 
condition of the community at the beginning of this new 
period, and compare it with the condition of things in for- 
mer and distant years. We have arrived at a point when 
this can he done to advantage. We have chronicled the 
events of more than a century and a half, and considered 
the character, customs and conduct of the earlier inhabitants, 
and the town when in its formative state. We have seen 
influences gather and grow from sources small and remote, 
and men come in, act their part, and go out. Before pro- 
ceeding to consider new facts, let us notice the results of 
those already set forth and their relations to what is to come. 
Let us notice to what extent early names and families were 
familiar at the beginning of the nineteenth century, what 
new inhabitants had come into town, and how far there had 
been a transmission of customs, traits and manners of living 
and doing in the home, the church and the town. 

Down to about the year 1800, quite a share of the old 
families remained, and, to an extent, kept their former 
prestige. Such were the Goodnows, Bents, Parmenters, 

432 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 433 

Maynards and Reeds, the Hunts, Browns and Hows, also 
the Haynes family, the Rices and Plymptons. In East 
Sudbury there were the Ratters, Curtises and Lokers, the 
Johnsons, Noyeses, Grouts and Wards. But, while so many 
of the old families remained, they no longer, as at the town's 
beginning, bore all the responsibility of its management, nor 
were their names alone prominent upon the records. Some 
of these families had begun to decline. Their ranks were 
decimated, their power was on the wane. So it was with 
the Hows, the Plymptons, the Maynards, the Rices, the 
Reeds; and in East Sudbury with the Curtises, Noyeses and 
Grouts. Indeed, the decline of some of these families, 
which began before the century set in, has to such an extent 
gone on that some of them have not a member in Sudbury 
who bears the family name : when it is called, no one is left 
to respond. Their history is but a tradition for others to 
tell, or found in fragmentary records on the town book, or 
inscribed on the tombstones of Sudbury's old-time burying 
grounds. But the decadence of old families is not the only 
reason why, at the beginning of the present century, town 
business was not wholly clone by the descendants of the 
early grantees. There had been, in the process of years, the 
introduction of new families into Sudbury, many of which 
took a prominent part in its affairs. Among those of this 
class who came before or about the beginning of the 
eighteenth century, there are the following names of per- 
sons on the west side of the river : Balcom, Bogle, Bowker, 
Brigham, Brintnal, Bush, Clapp, Cutler, Cutter, Dakin, 
Gibbs, Hayden, Jones, Mossman, Perry, Puffer, Richardson, 
Stanhope, Stevens, Taylor, Thompson, Tower, Walker, 
Wedge, Wheeler, Willis; on the east side, Abbott, Allen, 
Baldwin, Brewer, Bryant, Cutting, Damon, Drury, Frink, 
Gleason, Graves, Heard, Jennison, Long, Paris, Reeves, 
Roby, Ross, Sherman and Wellington. The following are 
names of families who settled in the present territory of 
Sudbury between about the years 1800 and 1850 : Adams, 
Allen, Arnold, Bacon, Barton, Burr, Carr, Clark, Conant, 
Dwyer, Eames, Eaton, Fairbanks, Garfield, Gerry, Harring- 
ton, Horr, Hudson, Hurlbut, Lyon, O'Neil, Powers, Pratt, 



434 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Robinson, Rogers and Shaw. We will give a few facts con- 
cerning such of these families as have a member still living 
in town who bears the family name, or is in some way still 
identified with the place. The object of these sketches is 
not to give anything like a complete genealogy, but, as in 
the case of the early grantees (Chapter III.), only to give a 
brief outline of family history, mainly as it has been con- 
nected with the town. 

Adams. — At an early date the name of Adams is upon 
the town records, and the indications are that one of the 
name was living near the Sudbury and Concord boundary 
not long after the settlement began. In 1671, James Adams 
was to have liberty to feed his cattle on Sudbury bounds, 
and " to take old and dry wood that shall be upon the 
ground, the said Adams to prevent any trespass by Concord 
herds or cattle also in our wood and timber, forthwith to 
give notice to the town." (Sudbury Records.) This James 
Adams is probably the one referred to in the genealogy of 
Concord inhabitants (Concord History) as belonging to a 
family said to have been banished from Scotland by Oliver 
Cromwell, and who married Priscilla Ramsden of Concord 
in 1G62, and died Dec. 2, 1707. James had seven children, 
— Priscilla, Elizabeth, James, Hannah, John, Nathaniel and 
Dorcas. Descendants of these have lived in Acton and 
Carlisle, which places were formerly in Concord. A John 
Adams of Sudbury was wounded at the Swamp Fight, R. I., 
in 1675. (See period 1675-1700.) The Adams family of 
Sudbury descended from the Acton branch. John Adams 
was born at Acton, Sept. 27, 1746, and had six children, — 
Lydia, Paul, John, Josiah H., Mercy, Mary. Josiah H. was 
born Aug. 4, 1780, and lived about twenty years on the 
place now occupied by the American Powder Company ; he 
then moved about a mile south to the present John Adams 
place. He had five children, — two of them sons, Joseph B. 
and John. John Adams, the present superintendent of the 
Fitchburg Railroad, was born at and now owns the place 
formerly occupied by his father in Sudbury. 

Allen or Alltn. — The Allen family was early in Sud- 
bury. The name of John Allen is on the " Old Petition " 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 435 

of 1676 ; on another, of 1690 are the names of John and 
Thomas, Jr., and Zebediah, Jr., and on a paper of 1707, sub- 
scribed to by the East Side inhabitants protesting against a 
parochial precinct on the West Side, are the names of John 
and Samuel Allen. The first Allen of the present century 
in Sudbury was John Plympton, who moved from Wayland 
to South Sudbury, where he carried on the blacksmith's 
trade for nearly fifty years. He married Sibel Read who 
was born in Sudbury in 1800. He had four children, — 
Francis, Franklin S., Margaret M., Abby A. Margaret M. 
Allen is at present a resident of South Sudbury. 

Arnold. — The name of William Arnold is on an old 
petition among a list of inhabitants on the west side the 
river in 1707 ; but for an interval of years there were none 
by the name in town. Edwin, first Sudbury resident of the 
name in the present century, is grandson of Winslow and 
Abigail (Hagar) Arnold, who were born, married and lived 
in Marlboro. His father was Joel who married Ruth, 
daughter of Israel and Susanna (Stone) Parmenter of Sud- 
bury, April 25, 1843. Edwin married Abby Hunt, daughter 
of Abel and Sally Smith of Sudbury. They have had one 
child, Frances A. Edwin Arnold resides at South Sudbury. 

Bacon. — The Sudbury ancestor of the Bacon family, 
which in the present century has resided in town, was 
Jonathan who came from Natick in 1835. His father, whose 
name was Jonathan, was born in Natick in 1756, married 
Zipporah (Goulding) Mann and had two children, Jonathan 
and Ebenezer. Jonathan, Jr., married Lydia Hammond of 
Natick, born Oct. 11, 1778, and had six children, — Zippo- 
rah, Asa, Samuel, Edward and Lydia, all born in Natick, 
and Adoniram born in Sudbury. He lived on the South 
Sudbury and Marlboro road in a house built and once occu- 
pied by Joel Jones, and at present occupied by Adoniram. 
Jonathan died several years ago, but his widow, Lydia 
Bacon, is still living at the age of one hundred and one. 

Balcom. — The Sudbury Balcoms are descended from 
Henry Balcom of Charlestown, Mass., a blacksmith. He 
married Elizabeth Haynes of Sudbury, August 12, 1666, and 
died April 29, 1683. Soon after his death, the family moved 



436 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

to Sudbury and settled in the northwesterly part in what is 
now Maynard, where his descendants still live. Among the 
children of Henry was Joseph, who was born Dec. 17, 1674, 
and died Sept. 17, 1745, at Sudbury. He married Tabitha 
Mossman. Among their children was John who was born 
March 13, 1713 (or 1715), and married Susanna Haynes, 
August 23, 1737. Among the children of John and Susanna 
was Asahel, horn June 5, 1741, who married Jcrusha Wil- 
lis. Their children were Asa who married Adah Balcom, 
Jernsha who married Adam Howe, Rebecca who married 
Daniel Puffer. Asa was the father of Ilollis and Asahel, 
two well-known citizens of the present century living in that 
part of Sudbury now Maynard. 

Barton. — George Barton was born in Concord, and came 
into town April 1, 1851. He married for his first wife Mary 
Susan, youngest daughter of Israel Hunt of Sudbury, and 
occupies the Israel Hunt farm in the Pantry district. His 
children are George H., born 1852; Frank P., 1857 and 
Alice M., 1859. 

Bogle. — Thomas was the first of the Bogle family who 
lived in Sudbury. He came from Scotland to Boston, and, 
after remaining there a short time, went to Sudbury, where 
he purchased the farm now occupied by Deacon Francis 
Walker. He had seven children, one of whom was Rowand 
who married Elizabeth Goodenow and occupied the old 
homestead. Rowand and Elizabeth had five children,— 
Hannah, Francis, Elizabeth, Submit and Polly. Francis 
married Patty Hemenway of Framingham, and had four 
children, — Miranda, Sarah H., Lucy and Nancy E. Mi- 
randa married Azariah Walker of Framingham, who pur- 
chased the Bogle farm in 1826, which he occupied till his 
death. Lucy and Nancy Bogle reside at South Sudbury. 

Bowker. — The Bowker family was in town as early as 
1707 ; the name Widow Sarah Bowker being upon a paper 
of that date. A prominent member of the family was Capt. 
Daniel Bowker, who served in the Revolutionary War, and 
died early in the Nineteenth Century. He went with his 
wife from Ilopkinton before 1756, and settled on what has 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 437 

since been known as the Bowker place in North Sudbury. 
He had ten children, two of whom were sons named Daniel 
and Joseph. He died Jan. 31, 1822, aged ninety-two, and 
his wife died June 28, 1813, aged seventy-nine. Daniel Jr., 
born Sept. 13, 1772, married Ruth Brown of Hubbardston 
and had fourteen children. He died Oct. 18, 1853, aged 
eighty-one, and his wife died Jan. 15, 1846, aged sixty- 
eight. Two sons of Daniel Jr. were Daniel and Samuel N. 
Daniel died May 19, 1880, leaving no children. Samuel N. 
was born June 16, 1799, and died Oct. 9, 1872. He married 
Mary Earle of Berwick, Me., and had seven children, one of 
whom is Frank M., born in 1850. Frank M. married for his 
first wife Anna Hunt of Morenci, Mich., and for his second 
Carrie Conley of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and has had five chil- 
dren. He lives on the old homestead, and his children are 
the fifth generation who have lived there. 

Brigham. — The ancestor of this family in New England 
was Thomas, who embarked from London for America in 
1635, and settled in Watertown. He had several sons, the 
eldest of whom, named Thomas, lived in Marlboro, and mar- 
ried the granddaughter of Edmund Rice, one of Sudbury's 
original grantees. It is conjectured that the Sudbury Brig- 
ham's are descended from this branch of the family. The 
name of John Brigham is in the Indian Deed of the Two 
Mile Grant, and also (page 65) on the petition to Governor 
Dudley by the West Side people for a new precinct in 
1706-7. One of the same name early settled in the territory 
of Maynard. The name of Samuel is found on the roll of 
the 2nd Foot Company in 1757. A prominent member of 
the family in the present century was Capt. William Brig- 
ham. His farm was that now occupied by Elisha Goodenow. 
Rufus, a son of William, resides at Sudbury Centre. The 
Brigham family have lived mostly in the north and north- 
west parts of the town. 

Burr. — Hiram Burr, son of Daniel, came from Derby, 
Vt., in 1845, when a young man. His first wife was Ellen, 
daughter of Deacon Gardner Hunt. His second wife was 
Nancy J., daughter of Deacon Thomas Dakin. He owns 



438 niSTORY OF SUDBURY. 

and lives on the Gardner Hunt farm, South Sudbury. He 
has had four children, — Frank G., Arthur H., Clifford B., 
Howard C, Nellie May. 

Butterfield. — Luther Butterfield was born at Antrim, 
N. H. He came to Sudbury in 1841, and settled in the 
Lanham district on the road from Sudbury to Saxonville. 
He has six children, — Ebenezer S., James B., George F., 
Sarah, Jerome, Edward C. 

Carr. — The Sudbury ancestor of the Carr family now 
living in town was Ezra, who went to Sudbury in 1810 and 
resided on the old Carr homestead, then occupied by his 
brother John and since owned by his son Crosby. Abiathar, 
another son, was born in Wilmington, Vt. He married 
Rebecca, daughter of Israel and Rebecca (Rice) Wheeler, 
and had six children, four of whom are living, — Lucinda J., 
Charlotte M., Frederick E. and Merrick. Lucinda and 
Merrick are residents of Sudbury. The old homestead passed 
out of the family about 1850. 

Conant. — Silas Conant was born in Stow, May 31, 1747. 
He moved to North Sudbury in 1782, and lived until his 
death, Sept. 20, 1836, on the farm since owned and occu- 
pied, until his death in 1859, by Emory, his grandson. The 
father of Emory was Amos, who had four sons, — Emory, 
Dexter, Silas and Amos. John M., son of Amos, Jr., and 
present resident of Sudbury, is of the tenth generation from 
Roger, who came from England to Plymouth, New England, 
about 1G23. John M. has served as selectman and assessor 
for several years, lie married Lucretia A. Richards of 
Concord, Vt., and has had four children, — Clara J., Lillian, 
Edwin A. and Louisa. 

Clark. — Isaac Clark was born April 18, 1806, in Wind- 
ham, N. Y., and moved to Hopkinton in 1816. He married 
Almira Osborn of Sudbury, Sept. 26, 1833. In April, 1837, 
he purchased and sidled upon the Osborn place where he 
now resides. He has had six children, — Everett O., Eliza 
S., Almira A., Ellen O., Frederic P. and Franklin P. 

Cutler. — The name of Thomas Cutler is found on a 
petition of 1707, and that of Elisha on a muster-roll of 1755. 
The family have resided mostly at the south part of the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 439 

town. Asher, grandfather of the late C. G. Cutler, Esq., 
once owned the mill at South Sudbury, which he left jointly 
to his sons Asher and Abel. In the early part of the 
century, Abel, the father of Christopher, kept a tavern 
near the Gravel Pit. C. G. Cutler, a well-known citizen, 
died at his residence in South Sudbury a few years since at 
the advanced age of ninety. He had four children, — Jo- 
seph, Mary, Emeline and Caroline. 

Cutter. — An early resident of this name was Nathanael, 
who was a soldier in Captain Nixon's Company in 1761. (See 
period 1750-1775.) Joseph Cutter was born in 1761, and 
married Prudence, daughter of James Thompson of Sudbury. 
He was a drum major in the Revolutionary War, and died in 
Sudbury in 1807. He left several children. A daughter 
married William Stone, who formerly kept tavern about a 
mile west of South Sudbury on the Boston and Worcester 
road (William Stone place). A son, Joseph, Jr., lived on 
the present Hiram Goodnow farm until his death. Joseph, 
Jr., married Lucy, daughter of Gideon Richardson. They 
had five children, — Dana, Augustus, Dexter, Caroline and 
Lucy Ann. Augustus married Abby A., daughter of John 
and Sibel (Read) Allen, and has four children, — Harry C, 
Howard A., Joseph, Mary Sibel. Lucy A. married Hiram 
Goodenough. 

Dakin. — The first Sudbury ancestor of this family was 
Captain Samuel who was killed in the last French and 
Indian War. (See period 1750-1775.) Thomas, the father 
of Deacon Joseph the father of Samuel, went to Concord 
prior to 1650. The family lived in North Sudbury near the 
northern boundary. Three of them have been deacons, — 
Samuel, June 30, 1775 ; Levi, March 24, 1817 ; and Thomas 
L., son of Levi, in 1838. 

Dwyer. — Richard Dwyer emigrated to America in 1845. 
He purchased the place in North Sudbury on which he still 
resides. He has seven children, — John, Richard, Thomas, 
Maria, Kate, Mary and Lizzie. 

Eaton. — The Eaton family descended from Jonas who 
was in Reading in 1642. He had eight children, among 
whom was Jonas, whose son John had eleven children, 



440 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

among whom was Jonas, born May 18, 1680. Jonas was a 
carpenter and bricklayer, and settled in Framingham in 
1705-6, where he bought eighty acres of land and erected a 
house on the present John M. Harrington place, near the 
Sudbury and Framingham boundary. He had ten children, 
among whom was Noah, born July 22, 1708. Noah was 
known as Cornet Eaton. He had eight children, among 
whom was John, born July 30, 1740. John lived on the old 
homestead. He married Olive Conant and had twelve chil- 
dren, among whom were Reuben and Sally. Reuben, born 
May 14, 1769, married Betsy Hunt, and Sally, born Nov. 8, 
1770, married Elisha Hunt of Sudbury. Reuben went to 
Sudbury in 1790. He lived on the Loring Eaton place 
(near Heard's Pond). Among his children were Loring and 
John. Loring lived until his death on the old homestead, 
and had five children. John lived on the present John 
Eaton place at Lanham. He had three children, — Edward, 
John, Sarah. The sons live on the old farm. 

Eames. — This family is descended from Thomas Eames, 
whose house, in what is now Framingham, was destroyed by 
the Indians, Feb. 1, 1675-76. He came to America by 1634, 
served in the Pequot war in 1637, lived for a time in Cam- 
bridge, and moved to Sudbury where he leased " the Pelham 
Farm" (Heard's Island, Wayland), and lived until he leased 
land, in 1669, at Mt. Wayte, Framingham. (See page 154.) 
He was twice married: the second wife, whom he married 
in 1662 and who was killed by the Indians, was Mary, a 
daughter of John Blandford of Sudbury. It is supposed he 
had twelve children, three of whom were born in Sudbury. 
John, one of the children of Thomas, born Oct. 6, 1642, 
built a house in Framingham, and had ten children, among 
whom was Henry, born April 28, 1698. Henry married 
Ruth Newton of Marlboro in 1722, and had eleven children, 
among whom was Timothy. Timothy was twice married ; 
his fust wife was Sarah Stone, who died April 25, 1763, at 
the age of twenty-three ; his second wife, Hannah, widow of 
Dr. Hills, died in 1795. He lived on the Sewall Hunt place, 
south of Lowance Brook. He had six children, among whom 
was Pbinehas, born May 14, 1766, who married in 1788 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 441 

Jane, daughter of Col. Ezekiel How, and had eight children, 
among whom was Fisher, who married Laura H., daughter 
of Benjamin Dudley. In 1835, Fisher settled at Lanham on 
the place now occupied by his son, Addison E. 

Fairbank. — This family descended from early inhabi- 
tants of Framingham, Holliston and Sherborn, who it is 
supposed were descendants of Jonathan Fairbank of the 
West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and settled in Dedham 
previous to 1641. The first who came to Sudbury was 
Jonathan, who came from Holliston or Sherborn prior to 
1783. He was twice married, his first wife being Hannah 
Morse of Northboro, who died leaving two children, and his 
second wife, Bridget Parmenter, who had ten children. He 
settled in the south-west part of the town on what is known 
as the Abijah Walker place. Among Jonathan's children 
was Drury, who was born July 17, 1793, and married, 
Oct. 26, 1817, Mary Spring of Hubbardston. He lived in 
the west part of Sudbury on the farm now occupied by 
Charles Whitney, on the road from Sudbury to Hudson. 
He was colonel of militia, justice of the peace, and held 
various town offices. He had six children, — Nelson, Nancy, 
Winthrop, J. Parker, Hannah, Mary S., all of whom were 
born in Sudbury except Nelson who was born in Boston. 
Nelson is at present a town resident and has held various 
town offices. He married Susan, daughter of Aaron and 
Lois Hunt of Sudbury, Dec. 24, 1844, and has had four 
children, — Albert G., Hattie S., Sarah A. and Mary L. 
The latter was born Dec. 12, 1858, and married William H. 
Goodnow of Sudbury, Oct. 17, 1888. J. Parker married 
Emily, daughter of Loring Wheeler of Sudbury. His son, 
Winthrop H., lives on the Tilly Smith farm and has held the 
office of selectman. 

Fisher. — The Sudbury ancestor of the Fisher family was 
Edward, who moved into town from Newton in the early 
part of the century. His wife was Mary Norcross, and they 
had nine children, — Emily, Mary, Edward, Fanny, Caroline, 
Joseph, Charles, Martha and Lyman. Six of these children 
were born in Newton. Charles married Harriet Brown of 
Sudbury, and had one child, Julia, wife of Hubbard H. Brown. 



442 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

Martha married John Goodwin, an ex-speaker of the Massa- 
chusetts House of Representatives and editor of a Lowell 
newspaper. Lyman married Dolly Conant, and his son Fred, 
who resides in Sudbury, married Emma H., daughter of 
Everett and Mary (Dakin) Brown. Edward Fisher, Sen., 
was a wheelwright, and carried on business at the old shop, 
South Sudbury, where his son Charles also followed the 
same trade until his death. 

Garfield. — A near ancestor of the Garfield families in 
Sudbury was Enoch. He was born in New Hampshire and 
his wife was from Lincoln. His sons, Francis and John, 
were born in Lincoln, and went to Sudbury from Concord, 
the former in 1860 and the latter about 1854. Francis 
married Sarah, daughter of Thomas B. Battles, and has four 
children, — Emma F., Thomas F., Henry C. and William E. 
John has been twice married ; his first wife was Louisa Rice 
of Marlboro, married in 1853; and his second is Harriett M. 
Flagg of Lincoln, married in 1858. He has two children, 
Mary L. and John W. Francis is a farmer and John is in 
the grocery business, and both reside at Sudbury Centre. 

Gerry. — According to sketches of Stoneham, by Silas 
Dean, Thomas Gerry came to America as boatswain on a 
war vessel sometime in the seventeenth century and settled 
at Stoneham ; and, after remaining there several years, he 
entered the service of his country and was killed in battle. 
The same authority speaks of him as a man of great courage, 
and narrates the following incident : One day, when on his 
way home about dusk, he came in contact with a number of 
wolves. Armed with an axe, he braced himself against a 
tree and pitched battle with his antagonists. The next 
morning, on returning to the spot, he found he had killed 
four wolves and wounded a fifth. Elbridge Gerry, formerly 
governor of this State and vice-president under Mr. Madi- 
son's administration, is said to have been a member of this 
family. Thomas, another descendant, was born in Stone- 
ham, March 15, 1732. He married for his first wife Jane 
Wilder, and for his second, Prised la Jewett. He struck the 
first blow towards settling the town of Royalston by building 
a log-house for another party, being guided to the spot des- 
ignated by marked trees. David Jewett, fourth child of 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 443 

Thomas and Priscilla, was born in Stirling, Feb. 23, 1770, 
and came to Sudbury about the year 1817, where he died, 
Oct. 27, 1849, aged seventy-nine. He married Lucy Thomp- 
son of Stirling. Their children were Thomas, Eliza, and 
Charles. He kept the Old Pratt Tavern about five years, 
and subsequently engaged in roof building, then a separate 
trade, and bridge building. With his son Charles, he built 
the first span bridge across the Nashua River at Dunstable, 
now Nashua. Charles was born in Fitzwilliam, Feb. 3, 1802, 
and went to Sudbury when about fifteen years of age. He 
was one of the selectmen in Sudbury several years, and 
master builder of the Acton Powder Mills. For many years 
he lived on the present Farr farm. His children are Charles 
F., Martha A., Eliza L., Edwin A., Israel H., Laura J., 
Sarah A., David J., Helen F., Clara J., Henry E., Frank E., 
Herbert L. and two who died in infanc}^. Charles F. is the 
only son now living in Sudbury. 

Harrington. — The name of Daniel Harrington is on a 
list of nine soldiers who were impressed into the service by 
a requisition made on the town by the Colony in 1675. The 
family, however, has not been numerous in Sudbury. Edwin 
Harrington, born in Lexington, Feb. 21, 1821, went to Sud- 
bury in 1843, where he married Eunice E., daughter of 
Reuben Moore, Nov. 27, 1845. He carried on the wheel- 
wright's business for some years at Sudbury Centre in the 
shop once used by the Evangelical Union Society for religious 
services. (See period 1825-1850.) He built the dwelling- 
house adjoining, and subsequently erected the house lately 
moved from the site of the present residence of George E. 
He was town treasurer in 1861-1863. He had one child, 
George E., who was born in Sudbury, Oct. 27, 1846, mar- 
ried, June 13, 1878, Alice E. Brown of Sudbury, who died, 
Nov. 19, 1879, and Dec. 31, 1881, married M. Edna Newton 
of South Framingham. He has three children, — Beth Mar- 
garet, Ruth Elinor and Alice Erline. 

Hudson. — Martin Newton Hudson was born in Fram- 
ingham Sept. 22, 1812. He went to Sudbury, and, Jan. 8, 
1837, married Maria, youngest daughter of Joseph and Olive 
(Mossman) Read, who died Jan. 17, 1857. He lived at 
South Sudbury, and had three children, — John Plympton^ 



444 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Alfred Sereno and Ellen R. He died at South Sudbury, 
Oct. 7, 1861, at the age of forty-nine. The Hudson family 
in Sudbury is descended from Nathaniel Hudson of Lancas- 
ter, born May 15, 1671, and whose father was probably Dan- 
iel of that town. Nathaniel married Rebekah Rugg and set- 
tled in Lancaster where his two older children were killed 
by the Indians. From 1709-1719 he lived in Billerica where 
he held town office. He afterward removed to Framingham. 
Nathaniel had eight children besides those killed by the Indi- 
ans, — Nathaniel, Abigail, Sarah, Samuel, John, William and 
Johanna. William lived at Framingham, married, March 8, 
1747, Dorcas Walkup, and had three children, — Nathan, 
Thomas and William, all of whom were baptized in Fram- 
ingham. William, baptized May 11, 1755, married Tabitha 
Kibbey and had three children, among whom was Nathan, 
born Dec. 15, 1786. Nathan was twice married. His first 
wife was Annie, daughter of Andrew Newton, married July 
3, 1808, by which marriage he had four children, among 
whom was Martin Newton of Sudbury. 

Hayden. — The Hayden family was in Sudbury as early 
as 1701, and settled near the west boundary of the town. 
The name of Josiah Hayden is on the list of west side 
remonstrants to the division of the town into two parishes 
in 1707, and it is repeatedly on the muster-rolls a century 
and a half later. Within the last fifty years the family has 
gradually died out ; the last one being Dana, who lived until 
his death on the old farm. 

Horr. — The first of this family in Sudbury was Richard 
R., who came in 1850 from Castleton, Vt. His mother was 
of the old Smith family of East Sudbury (Wayland). He 
married for his first wife Julia N. Brown of Sudbury, in 
1853, who died, 1877. His second wife is Annie Lee, a 
native of England. By his first marriage he had two chil- 
dren, — Jervis E. and Roger II., by the second he had 
Howard A. He has held the office of selectman three years 
and trustee of the Goodnow Library fifteen years. 

HuBLBUT. — Rev. Rufus Hurlbut was the first Sudbury 
ancestor of the famiiy now living in town. He had six 
children, — Thomas P., Mary S., William R., Steven H., 




RESIDENCE OF RICHARD R. HORR, 
So. Sudbury. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 445 

John L. and James D. Thomas Prentiss married a daughter 
of Curtis Moore of Sudbury and had three children, — Rufus, 
Elisabeth and Helen. He was a prominent citizen and held 
various town offices. Between 1864 and 1872 he was chair- 
man of the board of selectmen. He was a member of the 
Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1870 and 1873, 
and of the Senate in 1874. He was chairman of the town 
committee for the arrangement of terms at the incorporation 
of Maynard. For years he was deacon of the Evangelical 
Union Church, which position he held at the time of his 
death. Rufus, son of Thomas P., married Catherine, daughter 
of Jonas Tower of Sudbury, and has four children, — Arthur 
S., Marion B., Grace P. and Anza P. He was a member of 
the House of Representatives in 1884. He lives at South 
Sudbury and is one of the firm of Hurlbut & Rogers, ma- 
chinists. 

Jones. — An early inhabitant of this name was John, who 
lived at Lanham, and was a soldier in the expedition to 
Canada in 1690. Early in 1700 he moved to Framingham. 
He had two sons, both named John, one of whom died young, 
the other, born July 15, 1709, lived on his father's place in 
Framingham, was twice married, and had six children, one 
of whom was Samuel, born Nov. 18, 1746. Samuel settled 
in Framingham, and went to Dublin, N. H., about 1779, 
where he died in 1820. The Joneses now in Sudbury are 
descendants of the Jones family in Holliston, whose ancestor 
was, probably, Colonel John of Boston, who in 1715 removed 
to what is now Ashland, then Framingham. Samuel, son of 
Samuel of Holliston, went to Sudbury where he married 
Rachel Haynes, Feb. 12, 1778. He had eight children,— 
Joshua, Samuel, Joel, Asa, John, Lydia, Rachel and Eliza. 
Joshua's children were William and Cyrus. William mar- 
ried Sarah Bogle of Sudbury and had three children, — 
William, John and Marshall. John, son of William and 
Sarah, resides at South Sudbury. Samuel had five children, 
one of whom was William, who married Catherine, daughter 
of Israel Howe Brown, and lives at South Sudbury. Asa had 
three children, among whom was Smith, who lives at Sud- 
bury Centre (Hurlbut place). John, the youngest son of 



446 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Samuel and Rachel, had seven children, among whom was 
Maynard and Dexter. Dexter has been twice married ; his 

first wife was Emily Richardson and his second Elizabeth 
Hurlbut, both of Sudbury. He lives on the road between 
South Sudbury and the Centre. He has held various town 
offices and was Representative to the Legislature in 1861. 

Lyon. — Patrick Lyon emigrated to America in 1844. 
He purchased a place in North Sudbury where he has resided 
for about thirty-five years. He has five children, — John, 
Frank, Thomas, Mary, and Margaret. 

O'Neil. — John O'Neil attended St. Jarlath's College, 
Suam, Ireland, and was a member of the government sur- 
veying party that surveyed England, Ireland and Scotland 
in 1845. He emigrated to America in 1840, and settled at 
Concord. He married Julia, daughter of Thomas McManus 
of Assabet. In 1863, he moved to the Samuel Puffer farm. 
North Sudbury, where he still resides. He has four sons, — 
Thomas F., John L., Charles E. and Joseph Ms Thomas F. 
was sent as Representative to the Legislature in 1887. 

OsBORN. — An earl}' inhabitant by this name was Samuel. 
His father's name was Andrew, who, with his wife, came to 
this country from Annapolis, Ireland. Samuel was born on 
the water. He married Lydia Griffith of East Sudbury 
(Wayland), Nov. 1, 1732, and had five children, two of 
whom were Samuel and Daniel. Daniel married Sarah Perry 
of Sudbury, Nov. 16, 1769. He lived south of Hart Pond, 
his house being but a short distance from the County road. 
The Osborn place in the south part of the town was the farm 
since owned by Isaac Clark. 

Perry. — The Perry family is descended from Ebenezer 
Perry, who came from Dedham, probably not far from the 
beginning of the eighteenth century. He married Mercy 
Brigham, and lived on the farm now occupied by Obadiah 
and Levi Perry in the west part of the town. He died in 
L731. He had a son Obadiah, whose son John was the 
father of Obadiah, who was the father of Obadiah and 
Levi E. Obadiah, the father of Obadiah and Levi E., was 
born March 25, 1770. He had eight children, — Betsy, 
Jesse, Lyman, John, Charles, Lucy, Obadiah and Levi E. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 447 

Obadiah was born Oct. 9, 1817 ; Levi E. was born March 
18, 1820, and has two children, — Ellen Maria, born July 2, 
1847, and Sylvester Dwighjb" born Jan. 4. 1851. 

Powers. — Abijah Powers, first of the name in Sudbury, 
was a native of Maine. He went from Stirling to Sudbury 
in 1841, and purchased a place at the Centre where he still 
lives and carries on the blacksmith's business. In 1838, he 
married Delia Maynard of North Sudbury and has had four 
children, — Emily R., Edwin A. (died in 1846), Clara A. 
and Edwin A. Edwin A. married Emma F., daughter of 
Francis and Sarah Garfield, in 1869, and has one son, — 
Willard M. 

Pratt. — An early Sudbury resident of the name was 
Ep.hraim, who, with others, in 1729 signed a petition asking 
that the subscribers, who claimed to be owners of the New 
Grant lots, might hold a legal meeting " to be at the house 
of Jonathan Rice (North West District) in said Sudbury, 
Innholder." The farm occupied by Ephraim Pratt was 
known as the Wedge-Pratt farm, which was sold in 1743 to 
Jabez Puffer of Braintree, and is now included in the town 
of Maynard. Mr. Pratt moved to Shutesbury, where he 
died in 1804 at the age of one hundred and sixteen years. 
He was born in Sudbury in 1687. Dr. D wight, having 
visited him a short time before his death, in his " Travels " 
gives the following facts concerning him: " He was of 
middle stature ; firmly built ; plump, but not encumbered 
with flesh; less withered than multitudes at seventy; pos- 
sessed of considerable strength, . . . and without any marks 
of extreme age." But a short time before, his sight and 
hearing had become impaired. " His memory was still vig- 
orous ; his understanding sound and his mind sprightly and 
vigorous. He had been a laborious man all his life ; and had 
mown grass one hundred and one years successively. The 
preceding summer he had been unable to perform this labor ; 
but in 1802 he walked without inconvenience two miles and 
mowed a small quantity of grass. . . . Throughout his life he 
had been uniformly temperate. ... In the vigorous periods 
of his life he had accustomed himself to eat flesh, but more 
abstemiously than most other people in this country. Milk, 



448 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

which had always been a great part, was now the whole of 
his diet." He was never sick but once, and then with fever 
and ague. Nathan Pratt, one of the founders of the Amer- 
ican Powder Company, was a native of Fitchburg, came to 
Sudbury from Charlestown about 1833, moved to Arlington 
about 1855, and left the powder business in 1865. He had 
no children. Nathan, a nephew of Nathan and present resi- 
dent of the town, was a son of Capt. Levi Pratt. He was 
born in Fitchburg in 1829, and .came to Sudbury Jan. 1, 
1849. He was for twenty-one years in the employ of the 
American Powder Company, and from 1800 to 1870 super- 
intendent of the Powder Mills. In 1870, he bought and took 
possession of the property previously known as "Moore's 
Mills " in the west part of the town, which consists of a saw, 
grist and planing mill. Mr. Pratt is a Director in the 
American Powder Company and the Hudson National Bank 
and Trustee of the Hudson Savings Bank. He has also held 
various town offices and was chairman of the board of select- 
men for four years. In 1855, he married Harriet, daughter 
of Aaron Hunt of Sudbury, and has three children, — Sarah 
E., Harriet M. and Nathan R. Sarah E. has for the past 
nine years been a teacher in the State Normal School, Fram- 
ingham. 

Puffer. — This family first appeared in Boston in 1640, 
and was granted land at Mount Wollaston, now Quincy. 
George, who sometimes was called Poffer, had three chil- 
dren. James the oldest married at Braintree, 1656, Mary 
Ludden. He had six children, — James, born 1663, and 
Jabez, 1072; both removed to Sudbury in 1712. James 
married Mary Ellis of Dedham in 1600, and had six children 
born in Braintree; he died in 1740. Captain Jabez married 
Mary Glazier in 1702 and had seven children, all but the 
last two born in Braintree ; he died in 1746. Jabez 2d 
married Thankful Haynes in 1731, Samuel married Dorothy 
Ilaynes in 1732. They were sons of Jabez 1st and married 
sisters. Reuben, son of Jabez 2d, graduated at Harvard 
College in 1778, and was settled at Berlin. He died in 1829. 
He was distinguished in his profession, and received the 
decree of D. D. from Harvard College in 1810. A. D. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 449 

Puffer — a great-grandson of Jabez 2d, who resides in Med- 
ford and is an extensive manufacturer of soda fountains — 
was born in Sudbury in 1819. Daniel, grandson of Jabez 
2d, was an extensive land owner. The Puffer family have 
lived mostly in the north-west and north-east parts of the 
town. Deacon Samuel Puffer lived in the latter district in 
the early part of the present centuiy. One branch of the 
Puffer family, in which the name Daniel has been prominent, 
was so noted for skill in catching wild pigeons as to give 
rise to the term, familiar in Sudbury, of Pigeon Catcher 
Puffer. Luther, a son of Samuel, Jr., graduated at Bowdoin 
College in 1853. Alpheus, another son, is a resident of 
South Sudbury. James, a son of Josiah, resides at Sudbury 
Centre. 

Richardson. — Major Josiah was the first of the Richard- 
son family in Sudbury. He was born in Woburn Jan. 12, 
1701-2, and married Experience, daughter of Benjamin 
Wright of Sudbury. They had four children, — Gideon, 
Josiah, Experience and Luther. Gideon went into the 
ministry and settled at Wells, Me., but soon afterwards died. 
The Richardsons of the present day are descendants of 
Josiah, Jr., who was the only son living when his father 
made his will in 1758. Major Josiah Richardson lived on 
the Israel Howe Brown place, which once included what are 
now the Newton and Hiram Goodenow farms, — the first of 
which formerly belonged to Gideon, son of Josiah, Jr., and 
the latter to Joseph Cutter, who married Lucy, one of 
Gideon's daughters. Major Richardson has already been 
mentioned in connection with the Sudbury militia. In 1765, 
Josiah was appointed coroner of Middlesex County. The 
family have lived mostly at South Sudbury. Abel Richard- 
son, son of Gideon, for years owned the saw and grist mill 
there, and his brother Josiah was a well-known musician. 
Benjamin, a son of Benjamin, who was brother of Josiah and 
Abel, represented Sudbury in the Legislature in 1858, and 
is a justice of the peace. He has had eight children, — 
Anna M., Merrick L., Clifford W., Waldo F., Emily C, 
Leonard F., Ralf L., Nellie M. 

Robinson. — A member of this family early in town lived 



450 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

in a house which stood on or near the Smith Jones place 
(Hurlbut place). He had several children, among whom 
were Paul, Oliver and .Silas. He went from Stow to Sud- 
bury, where he died. Paul was born in Stow, went to 
Sudbury, and had several children, among whom was Dexter, 
who still lives at South Sudbury. Dexter had two children, 
Fitz A. and Martha A. Fitz married Louisa Tower of Sud- 
bury Centre and resides in Weston. Martha married Elias 
King. 

Rogers. — The Rogers family has been in town more 
than three-quarters of a century. The first was Walter, 
born in Marshfield Aug. 6, 1767; he came from Braintree 
in 1805. His wife was Betsey Barstow of Hanover, born 
Aug. 1, 1772. He purchased of Mr. Waite a part of the 
Jonas Holden place, of which the C. G. Cutler farm is also 
a part, and both of which belonged to the George Pitts 
place in the early part of the eighteenth century. He 
erected a house on the farm and died in Sudbury at an 
advanced age. He was a person of considerable mechanical 
ability, having made a hand fire engine for his own use. He 
had nine children, — Betsey, Lydia, Lucy, Abigail, Mary, 
Jane, Walter, Nancy, Samuel B. Betsey, widow of Deacon 
Gardner Hunt, is still living at the age of about ninety. 
Walter married for his first wife Emily M. Hayden, Dec. 1, 
1831, and for his second wife Emeline S., daughter of Wil- 
liam Stone of Sudbury, July 10, 1855. He owns and occu- 
pies the old homestead, and has had five children, — Bradley, 
Edwin, Albert, Homer and Elizabeth. Samuel B. has been 
a prominent business man in South Sudbury. He married 
Eliza, daughter of Noah Parmenter, and has had four chil- 
dren, — Alfred S., Bradley S., Melvina A., Atherton W. 
Atherton resides at South Sudbury and is chairman of the 
present board of selectmen. 

Taylor. — The name of Mello C. Taylor is recorded in 
connection with a petition to Governor Dudley by the West 
Side inhabitants in 1706-7 ; and among the inhabitants of 
the north-west district, early in the century, was Richard 
Taylor, who was one of the Proprietors of and prominently 
connected with the settlement of Grafton. (See page 167.) 



HISTORY Ofl SUDBURY. 451 

Hezekiah and John were early settlers of what is now May- 
nard. The immediate ancestor of the present Taylor family 
in Sudbury was John, who went to Sudbury from Stow 
about 1800. He married for his first wife Mary Conant of 
Framingham, and for his second wife Elizabeth Hews of 
Weston. By his second marriage he had six children, — 
Mary, Eliza, Cyrus, Sarah, Rebecca and Susan. Sarah mar- 
ried Thomas B. Battles of Sudbury. Cyrus, born 1796, 
married Mary Barker of Sudbury and had nine children, — 
John, Sewall, Mary, George, Henry, Susan, Lewis, Andrew 
and Martha. John married Caroline, daughter of Samuel 
Jones of Sudbury, and has one child, Carrie, who married 
W. H. Bent, formerly of Sudbury. Sewall married Mrs. 
Susan (Moore) Moulton. George married Susan Spring of 
Weston, and has one son, Edward. 

Thompson. — Tradition says that the first Thompson in 
Sudbury was born on the passage from England to America. 
While living in Sudbury, but absent from home, his house 
was at one time attacked by the Indians. His wife, with an 
infant child, escaped to the woods. In her flight she 
received a musket-ball in the leg from which she suffered 
greatly, being obliged to stay in the woods all night. A son, 
James, was town clerk in the latter part of the eighteenth 
century. Jedediah, son of James, was born and died in 
Sudbury. Nahum, son of Jedediah, was a prominent citizen. 
In the early part of his life he was town clerk, and later 
town treasurer. He had seven children, three of whom 
are sons, of whom Alfred is a Sudbury resident. The old 
Thompson house at South Sudbury stood just west of the 
track of the Massachusetts Central Railroad at its junction 
with the county highway. A part of it was moved to the 
Thadeus Moore place west of Hayden's Bridge. 

Walker. — Thomas Walker is mentioned as teacher of a 
free school in Sudbury in 1664. (See page 139.) He is also 
mentioned as an Innholder in 1672. Thomas, probably the 
same one, had eight children, among whom were Mary and 
Thomas. Mary married Rev. James Sherman ; and Thomas, 
born May 22, 1664, bought sixty acres of land, April 10, 
1688, of Gookin and How, in the territory now Framingham, 



452 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

and built a house near Rice's End. He married Martha, 
daughter of Samuel How, Dec. 7, 1G87, and had ten chil- 
dren, among whom was Samuel, born Sept. 24, 1689, who 
married, Nov. 3, 1715, Hannah Jennings. Samuel and 
Hannah had five children, among whom was Azariah, born 
June 24, 1722, who married Abigail Seaver. The youngest 
son of Azariah was Mathias, who married, in 1792, Jane 
Moulton of East Sudbury, and one of whose sons, Azariah, 
born Nov. 1, 1798, married Miranda Bogle and moved to 
Sudbury. His son Francis married Ellen, daughter of Ed- 
ward Brown of Sudbury, and lives on the old homestead. 
Their children are Eugene, Prentiss, Elinor, Shirley and 
Carlton. Thomas has been a common family name. It is 
found on the " Old Petition " in 1676, in a list of those who 
shared the town's stock of ammunition in 1688, and in the 
muster-roll of the 2nd Foot Company in 1757. From 
William, son of Thomas 1st, has descended the Walker 
family that long lived in the west part of the town. He had 
a son Thomas who was deacon of the Sudbury Church and 
father of Paul, who was sent as a representative to the 
Legislature. Willard Walker, son of Paul, lives on the old 
farm. He has been twice married and has three children, — 
Roselbie, Caroline and Georgiana. 

Wheeler. — It is quite probable that this family came 
from Concord, where the name appears from the settlement 
of the town. It is stated (History of Concord) that the 
family came from Wales, and that the descendants have been 
so numerous and so many have borne the same Christian 
name that their genealogy is traced with great difficulty. 
The name of George Wheller is on a muster-roll of the 2nd 
Foot Company in 1757 ; and the name of Caleb Wheeler is 
attached to a petition to the selectmen asking that a town- 
meeting be called to consider the matter of purchasing a 
house for small-pox patients. A prominent member of the 
family in the present century was Loring, whose father, 
Abel, was born in Sudbury July 21, 1776. Loring married, 
April 10, 1827, Polly Cutter of Temple, N. II., and had 
seven children. He lived until his death, Oct. 15, 1855, on 
the place formerly occupied by his father in the east part of 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 453 

the town. He had five children, — Emily, Adaline, Loring, 
Henrietta and Abel. Emily married J. Parker Fairbanks ; 
Adaline, John Goodenow ; and Henrietta, James Puffer, all 
of Sudbury. Loring, Sen., was for years on the board of 
selectmen. 

Willis. — The names of Samuel and Joseph Willis appear 
on a petition of 1706-7; and on a list of the 2nd Foot 
Company of 1757 are the names of Serg't Joseph, Jesse, 
Reuben and John. The family have, for the most part, 
lived in the westerly or north-westerly part of the town, and 
Willis Pond and Willis Hill are familiar landmarks. Among 
well-known citizens of the present century, descendants of 
whom still live in town, were Smith and James Prescott, 
brothers ; Daniel Lyman and George W., brothers ; and Eli. 
The former two were sons of Silas. Smith had two daugh- 
ters, Adaliza and Iantha. James P. married Adaline R. 
Haynes, lived near Sudbury Centre and had five children, — 
James L., Albert, Adaline, Edward and Charles P. James 
L. married for his first wife Emily R., daughter of Abijah 
Powers, June 17, 1866 ; for his second wife, Ella S. Simpson, 
July 7, 1870. Charles P. married Cora E. Willard. Both 
are residents of Sudbury. Daniel Lyman married Sarah, 
daughter of Joseph Reed, and had eleven children, — Jerusha, 
George, Charles A., Nancy, Mary, Abi, George L., Joseph H., 
Samuel A., Charles A. and John F. Joseph H. married 
Caroline Hunt and had one child named Samuel. George W. 
married Adaline Haynes and had six children, — Edward, 
Cyrus L., Harriet E., Mary, Adaline and Ella. Eli married 
a daughter of Israel Haynes of Sudbury and had several 
children, one of whom, Eli, married Sarah Butterfield and 
lives at Lanham. 

By this brief review of family history, we are reminded 
that the years have brought changes in the homesteads and 
among the households of Sudbury. There has been a going 
out and coming in of inhabitants, and not only highways, 
occupations, churches and schools have changed, but whole 
families have vanished, leaving no one to perpetuate their 
names. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

1800-1825. 

Continuation of Old Customs to the Beginning of the Present Century. 

— Inventory in a Will of 1806. — Extracts from an Old Account 
Book. — Description of Manners and Customs by an Old Inhabitant. 

— Changes in the Early Part of the Nineteenth Century. — Extract 
from " Fireside Hymns." — Highway Work. — North Sudbury Road. 
South Sudbury Road. — Rebuilding Wash Bridge. — Railing the 
Causeway. — Setting out Willow Trees. — Rebuilding the Canal 
Bridge. — Miscellaneous. — Educational Matters. — Report of School 
Committee in 1802. — Removal of Centre School-House to the Com- 
mon. — Singing Society. — Church Music. — Military Matters. — Pa- 
triotic Attitude Assumed by the Town. — Money Pledged to Soldiers 
as Wages. — As Bounty. — Patriotic Resolutions. — Militia Officers. 

— How Chosen. — Where. — Specimen of Company Order. — Sol- 
diers in 1812. — Wages per Day. — Settlement of Rev. Timothy 
Hilliard. — Ordaining Council. — Dismission. — Bill Allowed for En- 
tertaining the Dismissing Council. — Sketch of Mr. Hilliard. — Ap- 
pointment of a Day of Fasting and Prayer Relative to the Settlement 
of a New Minister. — Call Extended to Rev. Rufus Hurlbut. — 
Accepted. — Death of Rev. Jacob Bigelow. — His Annuity. — Money 
Paid his Widow for Service Rendered by the Clergy as a Gift to 
her. — Funeral Expenses. — Sketch of Mr. Bigelow. — Addition to 
the Church during his Ministry. — Enlarging the Burying Ground. 

— Purchase of a Bier and Hearse. — Formation of "Sudbury Min- 
isterial Land Corporation." — Sale of Ministerial Land. — Report of 
the " Ministerial Fund Corporation." 

By the fireside there are old men seated 
Seeing ruined cities in the ashes, 

Asking sadly 
Of the Past what it can ne'er restore them. 

Longfellow. 

'I'm; interest of the community in ecclesiastical matters in 
the beginning of the nineteenth century was similar to that 
of the century that preceded it. The town was the parish 
and the church was still at the front. The people regarded 

454 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 455 

the minister as the exponent of a system of truth that 
they revered and of a faith that they cherished and taxed 
themselves to support. Marked respect was shown him 
by both old and young ; the former not being too busy to 
leave the workshop or field when he called, and the latter, 
not having so far outgrown that civility which is becoming 
to youth, as to pass unnoticed one whose calling was held in 
such esteem by their elders. The Sabbath was observed by 
a general attendance at church, and a large share of the 
town officials were either church members or regular church 
attendants. Special church occasions, such as ordinations, 
installations and dedications, were gala days to the com- 
munity, and days of fasting and thanksgiving were relig- 
iously observed. The outward form of religion was not 
then divorced from the town-meeting, the school or the 
home. 

Politically and socially, at the beginning of the present 
century, affairs were conducted largely as in the century 
preceding. Officials were elected mainly on the basis of 
merit. Military honors were still recognized. The same 
strict economy was practised and the same carefnl consid- 
eration of need before the smallest expenditure. If it was 
only to decide upon the location of a horse-shed, the town 
deemed the matter of sufficient importance to adjourn its 
town-meeting to take a look at the premises, and, if thought 
desirable to erect a "noon-house," it might be essential to 
bring the subject before the town. 

The custom and manner of living had not yet undergone 
any radical change, and all " new fangled " things were still 
looked upon with suspicion. The fireplace was the same as 
when the family group sat about it at evening and listened 
to the tales of Indian warfare. The people still wore the 
coarse cloth their own hands spun and wove. The hired 
man and the housemaid might be children of some of the 
most well-to-do families in town. Travel was largely on 
horseback or on foot. The horseblock by the meeting-house 
was still in use. Malt was a common commodity. New 
England rum was considered essential in hay-time. The 
wooden plow was in use, and the hay-fork and other farming 



456 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

tools were still made by the village smith. As late as 1806 
the following articles are mentioned in the will of Hopestill 
Willis of Sudbury, which is, perhaps, a fair specimen of the 
inventory of a householder about the beginning of this 
century : " One calaca gown. A small Spinning Wheel. 
Wooden Ware. Meal sieve. Old Chist. Pewter Ware. 
Warming pan. Flax comb. Candle sticks and shears. 
Tongs, Trowels, meat tub. Cyder barrel." 

In order to show the articles manufactured and used in 
town about the beginning of the present century, the price 
of work and of some common commodities, we quote a few 
extracts from the account book of James Thompson of South 
Sudbury. 



Jeduthan Moore D r 

To making a slead 

to two Bushil of Malt 

to two pecks of Ground Malt 

to mending a Spinning Wheele 

to a pair of temples. 

Hezekiah Moore D r Old Tenor 

1770 to making a Bedstead 
to making a flax Breake 

1771. to one Days Reaping of Abel 

Ashur Cutler D r Old Tenor. 

1772 to two days Labour at the Mill 

1773 to Ashur's Trundle Bedstead 
to a kneeding Trough 

1774 Making the Sawmill whele and work in the mill 
Making a foot to a Little whele 

Credt to Mr Ashur Cutler Old Tenor 

1771 by one Bushil of Rie 
one Bushil of Indian Corn 
and one Bushil of Malt 

Capt John Nixon D r Old tenor 
Jan y e 10 th 1774 to making a Slay and finding nails 
May y c 20, 1774 to mending a Spinning Wheele 
July at the Begining to making a cart and Ladders 

and finding boards 
and making an ox yoke 
Jany 1775. to one Bushil of Malt 
April 17. 1775 to a Chist 



0- 4-0 



0: 


9 





0: 


2 


!) 


0: 





f» 


0: 


1 





£ 


s d 


2- 


0-0 


1- 


2-0 


0- 


15-0 


1- 


10-0 


0- 


18-0 


0- 


9-0 


5- 


10-0 


0- 


3-0 


1- 


7-0 


1- 


2-0 


1- 


5-0 


3- 


0-0 


0- 


5-0 


3- 


7-0 


0- 


7-0 


1- 


5-0 


2- 


8- 






HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



457 



1 : 


2 


6 


7- 


• 0- 


-0 


3- 


- 0- 


-0 


2: 


2 








12 








10 








5 








7 








1 


2 


1 


6 








8 





1- 


- 7- 


-0 


1- 


- 7- 


-0 


11- 


-16- 


-0 



Col n John Nixon D r old Tenor 
1776. to Kneeding trough 
to four Bushils of Barley Malt 
Dec. 27 th 1776 to Coffin for his wife 
July 1783. Rec d of Gen 11 Nixon 

1781, Isaac Hunt. Debtor in Lawful money, 
to making a cart body 
To a Coffin for his Father 
To making a Slead 

Jonas Holden Ju r Debtor to James Thompson 

1790 to 2 Days framing 

and half a Day Covering the Mill 

1791. to two Bushils of Malt 

to four Days on the Gates 

To Aaron Johnson Dr Old Tenour 
to making two Margent window frames 
to making three plain frames 
to making 203 Squares of Sashes at ^ 



Confirmatory of the truth of our conjecture that, up to 
the time of which we write, no great changes had taken place 
in the customs and ways of society, we quote the following 
description of manners and customs by Mrs. Israel Haynes, 
a resident of Sudbury, written about the year 1864, at the 
age of eighty. 

STATEMENT OP MRS. ISRAEL HAYNES. 

" # * I still remember seventy-five years back more cor- 
rect than what has been transacted within a week. * * I 
think people enjoyed their simple way of living as well as 
they do now. I recollect when the old meeting [house] was 
standing. A plain Building Ceiled with Boards and a few 
pews. There are several Barns now in town Finished much 
handsomer than that was. * * There was no bell on the 
house. But a small school house stood near by on the 
common finished of as poorly as the meeting house, there was 
a little entry-way where there was a little Bell Hung all 
that belonged to the town to ring for meetings or funerals 
or what not. There was Body seats below for the oldest 
people And seats in the gallery for other people. The most 
popular took the front seats and had Pegs put up to hang 



458 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

their Cockt Hats on. [they] made quite a show. * * The 
Deacons used to read the hymns two lines or a verse and 
then they sung it. They had a pitch pipe to pitch the tune. 
After awhile there was a bass viol Introduced and brought 
into town and did not suit the old People, one Old Gentle- 
man got up took his hat of the peg and march'd off, said 
they had begun fidling there would be dancing next. The 
children occupied the stairs when the seats were full, and I 
believe they enjoyed [it]. They chose tithing men to keep 
them regulated but still there was some confusion. I would 
describe their dress as near as I can remember, it Consisted 
of one Dress one of their Mother's old Dresses she had when 
she was married or a Cheap Calico Coarser than A strainer 
I ever used. I recollect the first one I had — it was thirty 
three cents a yd as we recon now and I thought it as Beau- 
tiful as they think of A Nice silk. As to bonnets I dont 
seem to remember as far back as I went first to meeting. 
But Children went to meeting in such clothes as they had — 
now if they have not such clothes as they like they stay at 
home. They want a gold watch a breast pin and rings on 
the finger. In my young days we did not know what such 
things were. There was a minister in each adjoining town 
I Believe all of one Denomination, old People called it the 
old standing Order * * I have not described the men's 
Attire, it Consisted of A Cotton and linen shirt a pair of 
trowsers they were then called an under jacket one coat or 
Frock no padding or lining * * I have heard an old lady 
say she could make a coat in a day with her Baby in her lap. 
It would have been thought extravigant for A young man 
to have had boots before they were twenty one they wore 
cowhide shoes and liggins I never saw any under clothes 
they stood the cold weather better than they do now. I 
must say a word about our schools. The scholars were 
under as good regulations as they are now, there was no 
books in school except the Bible Dillingsworth spelling Book 
the primmer and Psalter and only one of a kind in A Family. 
The teacher set all the Coppies made all the pens. Those 
that studied Arithmetic the Master wrote down the Rules 
and sums in their Books and then they had Birch Bark split 



History of sudbijry. 459 

to do their sums on instead of slates. The school house was 
a little rough Building like a shed only it had a Door, there 
was A large Fire Place large enough to hold several logs 
and four feet wood and a stone hearth and chimney and 
Cross leg'd Benches for writers. The Boys wore leather 
aprons and breeches And for dinner they used to fetch a 
sausage or slice of Pork and a Crust of Bread sharpen a 
stick and broil it over the coals and [there were] plenty of 
grease spots. The girls wore short loose Gowns and skirts 
and thick leather shoes and woolen stockings. They wore a 
blanket over their heads or their Mother's old Cloak. In 
the summer they wore [shaped] gown and skirt and cape 
bonnet colour'd otter with bare feet. You might as soon 
look for a white Bear as to see shoes on Children in summer 
time. The Dwelling houses for the most part had two 
rooms and a fire place almost as large as they build their 
little Kitchens now and an oven right over the fire place 
and a large stone hearth. They mostly Built one room first 
and when they got able set up another room and if they had 
A son Many generally settled down at home. There was 
two families in almost every house that had two rooms. * * 
The People were farmers, most of them went on Pretty 
much the same way every year. Each one tried to raise 
enough for their family, they did not make much improve- 
ment nor speculate. They kept Oxen and Cows and hogs 
for their own use and raised Corn and Rye Potatoes and 
Beans and other vegitables, some kept A Horse, they had 
no Carriages except a cart and sled. They used to ride 
horseback to meeting have a saddle and Pilion the man ride 
forward the woman behind. Sometimes go to visit their 
friends forty Miles and carry two Children, they went to 
Market horseback had a wallet made of two Cloths, left open 
in the middle on a pair [of] paniards made of Basket stuff. 
The women went as often as the men, they swung the wallet 
over the horse's back put in their boxes each side so as to 
balance, then the Paniards [were] fixed on behind filled with 
pigeons or something else. I remember when there was but 
one old chaise in town and I dont remember of there beinsr 

o 

any thing that could be called A Carriage seventy years ago. 



460 History of suDbury. 

seventy years ago I dont think there was a Carpet in town 
scarce a painted floor Our diet was simple not as many 
luxuries as they have now. at thanksgiving we had flower 
a good Chicken Pie and Mince pies and apple and Pumpkin 
and Plum pudding. I think a pound answered, sometimes 
a part was used in the Best mince pies * * if our Flower 
fell short we used Rye flower we had good rye. the best 
Farmers did not buy by the Barrel, 7 or 8 lbs used to answer 
the purpose, we had no Factories spun and wove and made 
our own Clothing * * I recollect when they began to go 
with two and four horses tackled in a wagon it looked 
as strange as these new inventions the cars or steamboats 
* * Neighbors used to visit and seemed to enjoy them- 
selves. For supper they generally had Fresh meat or 
sausage or a short rye Cake made into a toast, Pye and that 
was good enough for a king, the women were Neighborly 
and Industrious willing to assist each other, one would get 
in a bedquilt and the others drop in and help get it out * * 
People began to improve in dress and living sixty years ago. 
I earnt money enough to buy a silk Dress when I was Mar- 
ried and A white Bonnet, if you could see it you would say 
the shape resembled a scale that store keepers use. we had 
to be prudent to lay by enough to purchase a silk Dress 
they was as high as they are now and wages only four 
shillings a week for house work, but we did not have so 
much Cloth in a dress as they do now and no needless trim- 
mings. I have had Calico Dresses made out of six yards 
and a half. It was customary in winter to make a party 
for the middle aged, invite all the nearest neighbors and the 
school master, get a meat supper and the company and table 
set in the same room, for the most part there was a Bed and 
trap door in the room — twas a considerable undertaking 
but they enjoyed it better than to call one or two at a time." 

Thus much did the beginning of the nineteenth century 
partake of the spirit and ways of the past, but as the }*ears 
advanced there came a wonderful change, and before the 
first period had passed, modern improvements began to creep 
into society, the church and the home took on an altered 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 461 

appearance ; and the second generation of the period became 
as accustomed to new manners, methods and implements, as 
if the former ones had belonged to some remote age. The 
change has continued to go on with accelerated speed, until 
now the very architecture, compared with that of the past, 
is strange ; even the products of our fields are different, and 
men and women and children at church, at home and at 
school do that and say that which to the fathers of 1800 
would be as unfamiliar as to those of the century that went 
before. The years of the present century have taken away 
the things of the olden time. 

Though we search for them long and with diligent care, 

There were joys in the past now exceedingly rare. 

The fireplace no longer burns bright as of yore 

Sending out its bright beams on the old kitchen floor, 

With its back-log all glowing as snugly it lay 

Against the huge chimney, 'mid warm ashes gray; 

The ancient brick oven is closed from our gaze, 

Where were baked the brown loaves of the rich, golden maize, 

And the beans and "pan dowdy " and nice pumpkin pie 

That so suited our taste, and delighted our eye ; 

The " beaufet " that once so smilingly stood 

With its three-cornered shelves of unpainted wood ; 

The quaint pewter platters, substantial and bright; 

The candle of tallow, so smooth and so white ; 

The hard, oaken floor that was scoured with such care ; 

The garret, a store-house of relics most rare ; 

The old-fashioned clock with its bell-note so clear, 

And whose pendulum-tick we could easily hear ; 

The plain, simple dress and the old-fashioned ways, 

The " raisings," the " huskings " of those early days, 

The " apple-bees," " training-days," breaking out roads, 

The turnpikes, the toll-gates, the stages, the loads 

Of rich country produce that was carried to town 

By the farmer, whose custom it was to "go down ; " 

The old-fashioned winter, the mild early spring, 

With snow-drifts and sunbeams which these used to bring; 

The old district school with its three months a year, 

The little red school-house with benches so queer, 

Where to cipher, to read, to parse, and to write 

Were deemed wholly sufficient to educate quite ; 

The singing-school also has passed out of date, 

And the fugue-tune and fiddle have shared the same fate, 



462 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

As these were made use of in country church choir, 
Or on special occasions by the sitting-room fire. 
Thus have the years in their flight left behind 
The old-fashioned things that are now hard to find; 
We may search for them long and with diligent care, 
And if we find them at all, 'tis exceedingly rare. 

We now pass from a consideration of general changes that 
occurred about 1800, to events that took place in the first 
period of the present century. First, as they are related to 
highways, bridges and causeways. Early in the century an 
effort was made to secure the construction of a highway 
through North Sudbury. As early as 1800, complaint was 
made against the town for not making a road there, and the 
town appointed an agent to defend its cause. 

In 1801, a committee was appointed to see about " an 
alteration in the road from Rev. Mr. Bigelow's to near Mr. 
Tower's by W m Rice's Esq as far as Mr. Vose's." The 
indications are that an alteration had been made in the road, 
that a shorter way was proposed, and that the court had 
been applied to for a discontinuance of the alteration formerly 
made. In 1806, an article was in the warrant to see if the 
town would take any measures " for the purpose of dis- 
charging an execution against said town it being in conse- 
quence of not complying with the requisition of the order 
of the Court of Sessions for the making of the road through 
the northerly part of said town." The town also appointed 
an agent to oppose the acceptance of the road ; but, not- 
withstanding the opposition, the North road was built. 
About the same time the south part was interested in a 
proposition to make some alteration in the South road, 
known as the Boston and Worcester. In 1805, a committee 
\v;is appointed to act with one appointed by the Court of 
Sessions for this purpose. The design was to straighten 
portions of the road from Green Hill to the brick kilns or 
(Jibbs farm. In 1805, the sum of $1800 was appropriated 
for highway work, and the same year $1000 was granted for 
the purpose of repairing " Lancaster and Worcester Road so 
called." The following year the records make mention of a 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 463 

road laid out from Jonathan Fairbank's to John Perry's. 
In 1807, it was voted " to sell and discontinue part of the 
road from Ezekiel Loring's to Framingham line." 

In 1801, Lieut. David How rebuilt Wash Bridge for forty- 
five dollars and twenty-five cents. That year, also, a com- 
mittee of five was appointed " for the purpose of railing this 
town's proportion of the Long Causeway, and setting out a 
sufficient number of willow trees to answer the purpose for 
Guides in the time of flood." In 1804, sixty-four dollars 
were granted for making a wall each side of Sherman's 
Bridge. In 1806, the town voted to let out the rebuilding 
of the Canal Bridge. In 1815, the town voted twenty 
dollars and thirty-three cents for the Canal Bridge. 

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. 

In 1804, the town voted two hundred and twelve dollars 
for repairing and painting the meeting-house. In 1805, a 
settlement was made of a prolonged lawsuit between the 
town and Peter Smith " who brought forward a pauper." 
The suit was decided in favor of the town to the amount of 
ten hundred and sixty dollars and twenty-five cents. But 
"it remitted to Smith $544.31 out of said execution it being 
the balance which appeared to be due him." In 1806, the 
town granted thirty dollars for the purpose of enabling their 
selectmen to settle with Captain Barrett, the gaol keeper of 
Concord, " for Boarding of certain Poor persons that were 
confined in gaol and belonged to the town." As, formerly, 
the law allowed imprisonment of poor debtors, these persons 
probably belonged to that class. In 1816, voted that the 
constables see that the porch of the meeting-house, both 
above and below, be cleared of those people who were 
inclined " to occupy the avenues to the meeting house at 
the commencement of the exercises of each day of public 
worship." Also, to see that people at the close of worship 
went out properly. In 1817, the town engaged in lawsuits 
with East Sudbury, Lincoln and Stow about the support of 
the poor. It was successful in the first suit, but failed in the 
last two. 



464 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. 

No marked changes took place during this period in edu- 
cational methods. The money granted for schools was 
equally divided between the five districts. In the year 
1800, money was granted for building three school-houses, — 
in the south-east district, two hundred and eighteen dollars ; 
in the north-west, one hundred and fifty-seven dollars and 
fifty cents ; and in the south-west, two hundred dollars. 
The committee that year were William Rice, Esq., centre 
district ; Gen. Benjamin Sawin, south-east ; Deacon Thomas 
Walker, south-west; Lieut. Hopestill Willis, north-west; 
and Samuel Puffer, north-east. The old building in the 
south-west was sold for twenty-four dollars. 

The following is, in substance, part of a report of the 
school committee in 1802. That they had been empowered 
to hire all the teachers of the public schools in town for the 
year ensuing, and that they had been instructed, after con- 
sultation with the minister and the teachers employed, to 
decide what books should be used, only that the same ones 
should be used in all the schools of the same grade. That, 
if any scholar should fail to provide himself or herself with 
the books required, six days after notice of the deficiency 
had been given to the parent or guardian, the scholar should 
not receive instruction in the branch of study to which said 
book or books were assigned until supplied. Provided, 
nevertheless, that if any scholars were unable by reason of 
poverty to provide their own books they should be supplied 
by the committee. In 1825, leave was granted to the centre 
district to move its school-house to some convenient place on 
the Common. Besides the attention bestowed by the town 
on the common or day schools, encouragement was given to 
instruction in music. 

Along the first of the present century there existed what 
was termed a "Singing Society," and the town, from time 
to time, made appropriations for its benefit. This " Society " 
constituted the church choir. A half century ago, the long 
rows of singers along the length of the gallery was quite a 
part of the audience ; and, doubtless, it was for the purpose 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 465 

of benefiting the church music that the town granted aid to 
the " Singing Society." In 1801, a committee was appointed 
by the town " to get a singing master and for regulating the 
Singing Society." The same year liberty was given the 
society to occupy the several school-houses, indicating that 
the sessions were held in different districts. Ten dollars 
was granted that year to pay the master. In 1802, the town 
voted " to have Dr. Belknap's Psalms and Hymns introduced 
and made use of in the Singing Society," In 1821, twenty 
dollars were allowed for the society, and in 1822 thirty 
dollars. Early in the century quite an orchestra assisted in 
the old church. Mr. Josiah Richardson, familiarly known 
as " Uncle Siah," played the violin, Mr. Emory Hunt the 
clarionet, Mr. George Hunt the base viol, and Deacon Mar- 
tin Brown the bassoon. At the same time, Esquire Lyman 
How, the last landlord of the Wayside Inn of the name of 
How, was among the singers. He also led the choir after- 
wards at the Orthodox Church. 

MILITARY MATTERS. 

Before the war of 1812 and 15 set in, the town of Sud- 
bury, as did others, took action as to the state of affairs then 
existing between the United States and England; it also 
made provision by which it could supply its quota of men 
in case they were called for ; and passed resolutions relative 
to the conduct of public affairs that evinced a patriotic spirit 
and a steadfast purpose to stand by the government. In 
1807, when the American frigate, Chesapeake, had been 
attacked by the English frigate, the Leopard, activity in 
military matters commenced in the New England towns. 
Sudbury voted to give to " each soldier that was called upon 
to stand at a minute's notice $12 per man per month includ- 
ing what government has made provision for, during the 
time they are in actual service, and six dollars to each 
soldier as advance pay, that shall equip himself for said 
service, the aforesaid six dollars to be paid previous to his 
marching if called upon and to be subject to deduction from 
his wages." In 1808, the town "voted $36 as a bounty to 
this town's proportion of soldiers that are called upon to 



466 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

hold themselves in readiness at the shortest time, being 
eighteen in number." Also, " directed the commanding 
officer of each respective company, to make out a return of 
the name of each soldier that held himself in readiness." A 
meeting was called Feb. 4, 1809, " to see if the town will 
express their opinion in such manner as will show to the 
world that we are willing to support the laws of our general 
government, in consequence of certain resolutions denounc- 
ing all good citizens who shall give their aid and support in 
the execution of the laws of said government." A com- 
mittee was chosen at that meeting to draw up a preamble 
and resolutions to present to the town, relative to what was 
mentioned in the above article. The Preamble and Resolu- 
tions that were reported were passed in the affirmative and 
were in substance as follows: The inhabitants of Sudbury 
see with concern a party in the State exciting jealousies 
against the government and recommending resistance to its 
laws. Therefore, resolved, 

1. That we have the highest confidence in the wisdom and 
integrity of the government. 

2. That we believe the embargo laws are good and 
necessar}'. 

3. That we have seen with regret certain resolutions 
denouncing all good citizens who give their support in the 
execution of those laws, and that such resolutions produce 
on our minds a determination, when called upon, to give 
1 1 lose laws prompt and undivided support. 

4. That, as the management of our foreign relations is 
delegated to the councils of the nation, it is inexpedient for 
(lie State legislature to interfere. 

In 1812, the number of soldiers reported to be in readiness 
was eighteen. " Voted to give them $1.25 per day while in 
service and doing actual duty." The following persons 
from Sudbury were in service a short time during the war: 
Anion Hunt, Jonas Tower, James 13. Puffer, Josiah Puffer, 
John Carr, Cyrus AVillis, George Barker, Leonard Dutton, 
Otis Puffer, Jesse Puffer, John Sawyer. Warren Moore was 
in the naval service on a privateer, was taken prisoner and 
spent some time in Dartmoor prison. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 467 

In the militia the officers were chosen by the men and 
received their commission from the Governor of the State, as 
in later times. In 1806, Caleb Strong gave a commission to 
Jesse Goodnow as captain of a company in the 4th Regiment 
Infantry, 2d Brigade, 3d Division Militia. To an extent, it 
was customary to hold the meetings for the election of militia 
officers at the taverns. The following is a specimen of the 
" Company Order " of the times. 

COMPANY ORDER. 

" To Reuben Gleason Corp 1 

" You are hereby ordered and directed to warn and notify 
all the men, Commissioned Officers and soldiers whose names 
are hereafter mentioned belonging to the company under my 
command, to appear at Mr. John Stone's Tavern in Sud- 
bury, on Friday, the 18th day of March Inst, at 1 o'clock 
P. M., for the purpose of electing a Captain, and filling such 
other vacancies as may then happen. 

" By Order of Ephraim Plympton Lieut. Col. Dated at 
Sudbury, March 14, 1814." 

ECCLESIASTICAL EVENTS. 

In 1814, the town settled a new pastor, Rev. Jacob Bige- 
low having become infirm. In 1810, Rev. Timothy Hilliard 
had been invited to preach as a candidate, and June 1, 1814, 
he became colleague rjastor at a salary of six hundred and 
fifty dollars and five hundred dollars to begin with. The 
ministers, with their churches, who comprised the ordaining 
council were Rev. Messrs. Kellogg of Framingham, Newell 
of Stow, Adams of Acton, Ripley of Concord, Stearns of 
Lincoln, Lovering of Andover, and Dr. Kirkland of Harvard 
College who preached the sermon. The next year Mr. 
Hilliard " resigned his office as clergyman of the religious 
Society of Sudbury." His resignation was accepted, and ho 
was recommended to the churches on a vote of thirty-eight 
to eight. A council was held for the purpose of ratifying 
the doings of the church and town " in dissolving the Cove- 
nant with Rev. Mr. Hilliard." He was dismissed Sept. 26, 



468 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

1815. The following is the bill allowed to Mr. Asahel 
Wheeler for the entertainment of the council: — 

To eleven dinners and Suppers with wine Hi " 

To Horse keeping 2 " 

To Liquors 2 " 

10 " 
Also allowed Mr Daniel Osborn for Notifying the 

Council and for attendance $3 " 

After leaving Sudbury, Mr. Hilliard practised medicine in 
his native town, Kensington, N. H., and also engaged some 
in teaching. He was a scholarly man and a graduate of 
Harvard College in 1809. He also studied divinity at Cam- 
bridge. During his short ministry forty-three united with 
the church, nineteen males and twenty-four females. Soon 
after the pastorate became vacant, the town took measures to 
secure another minister. May, 181G, it was " voted, at the 
request of Dea. Puffer, to set apart a day for fasting humil- 
iation and prayer to the Supreme Governor of the Universe 
for his direction and guidance in those measures that shall 
be most conducive to the harmonizing us in the reestablish- 
ment of a gospel minister amongst us." The day appointed 
was November 8. It was voted to invite some minister to 
preach on that day, and also to invite the attendance of 
other ministers. Soon after this the town " voted to hear 
Mr. Hurlbut and two others on Probation," At a town- 
meeting Dec. 16, 181G, " it was moved to see if the town 
would request the church in this place to give Mr. Rufus 
Hurlbut a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry, 
and being put to vote, it passed in the affirmative by 58 for 
and 9 against it." The church having voted to extend the 
call, on December 28 the town expressed its concurrence by 
a vote of thirty-four for and six against. k ' It was then 
voted that Mr. Hurlbut's creed be read before the town, 
which was produced and read agreeable to said vote." A 
committee was chosen by the town to confer with the 
church ; and they recommended a salary of seven hundred 
dollars while he was in active service without the improve- 
ment of the ministerial land, " which their late minister 



history of sudbury. 469 

Rev. Mr. Bigelow had the improvement of during his life." 
Mr. Hurlbut declined to accept of the sum specified, if he 
was only to be allowed it while in actual service ; giving as 
a reason for his refusal, that, in case of inability to preach 
at any time, by a reduction or withholding of his salary he 
would be left without a means of support. The matter was, 
therefore, reconsidered, and an offer made of six hundred 
and fifty a year so long as he should continue to be their 
pastor. This offer was accepted. A committee or agent 
was appointed to receive a quit-claim of Mr. Hurlbut of all 
the ministerial land. 

Soon after the settlement of a new minister, Rev. Jacob 
Bigelow passed away. He died Sept. 12, 1816, at the age 
of seventy-five, having filled the Sudbury pastorate for over 
forty years. He was beloved by his people, and in his last 
years was granted an annuity. In 1816, two hundred and 
forty-six dollars and sixty-seven cents was granted " for 
Mr. Bigelow's salary." This vote, at a later meeting of the 
town, was reconsidered, probably on account of his death. 
The town also gave to his widow thirty dollars for the ser- 
vice that was rendered by the reverend clergy, as a gift to 
her, by their supply of the pulpit after her husband's death. 
The funeral expenses were defrayed by the town and the 
following bills are on record : — 

"To Mr. Jonathan Fairbanks Jr. for making the coffin for 
Rev. Mr. Bigelow, $10.00. 

"To Lewis Moore for digging the grave and attending the 
funeral of Rev. Mr. Bigelow $2.00. 

" To Capt. Jesse Moore for beef he provided at the funeral 
of the Rev. Mr. Bigelow 1—13 

" To Mr Ruben Moore for 7 lbs old cheese he found at the 
funeral of Rev Mr Bigelow. 

" To Doctor Ashbel Kidder for dining the clergy & com- 
mitteee of arrangements &c at the funeral of Rev. Mr. 
Bigelow $16.20 

" To Mr Daniel Goodenow for spirit an sugar &c provided 
at the funeral of the Rev. Mr. Bigelow, $15.40." 



470 



HISTORY OF SUDBUIIY. 



Mr. Bigelow was a native of Waltham. He was twice 
married. His first wife was a sister of Dr. Heard of Con- 
cord. By this marriage lie had a daughter. He married for 
his second wife Mrs. Wells, and had two sons. One of 
these was Dr. Jacob Bigelow of Boston, a noted physician, 
and at one time Professor of Materia Medica in Harvard 
Medical School. lie died at the age of ninety. An old 
inhabitant of Sudbury (C. G. Cutler) described Rev. Mr. 
Bigelow to the writer as being " a large man with a large 
face, very pleasant and full of jokes." He was said to be 
affable and social. He built the house now known as the 
George Goodenow place, about a quarter of a mile from 
Sudbury Centre, and there he lived and died. He was 
ordained Nov. 11, 1772. During his ministry one hundred 
and forty-two were added to the church, fifty-five males and 
eighty-seven females. 

The year of Mr. Bigelow's death the following records 
were made relating to the enlargement of the Burying 
Ground : " Bought of Walter Ilaynes in 181G about a half 
acre of land on the whole south side the grave yard for 
enlarging it." The price paid was one hundred dollars. 
Among the town debts : "To Walter Haynes for building 
the burying yard wall and a small gate, $19.50." There are 
other records relating to placing posts near the yard. The 
indications are that the yard, at that time, was nearly full, 
and, probably, the death of the minister called the town's 
attention to the fact. As Mr. Bigelow's grave is on the 
southerly side of the yard, it may have been made in the 
portion that was bought at that time. Besides the addition 
on the south, in 1800 the town bought a " piece of land for 
three dollars of Asher Goodenow on the east end of the 
burying ground." Another matter in this period, pertaining 
(o the burial of the dead, was an order, in 1806, "for a bier 
for the Burying yard," and in 1818 for building a hearse. 
' About the time of Rev. Jacob Bigelow's death a move- 
ment was made to dispose of the land which had been set 
apart for the support of the ministry, for cash or notes at 
interest. As has been observed, a committee was appointed 
at the settlement of Rev. Mr. Ilurlbut to obtain of him a 




THE BIGELOW PARSONAGE, Sudbury Centre. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 471 

quit-claim to these lands, which act was, doubtless, in antici- 
pation of the movement in 1818. In 1816, a committee was 
appointed to apply to the Legislature for leave to dispose of 
the ministerial land, and it was granted. The following 
year there was constituted what was called " the Sudbury 
Ministerial Land Corporation." In March, 1818, the trus- 
tees of this corporation reported that, in accordance with an 
act of the Legislature, June 14, 1817, they had sold the land 
lying near Mr. Elisha Jones', containing by plan seventeen 
acres and fifty-three rods, on July 24, 1817, in two lots : 
No. 1 to Capt. Silas Puffer for $67 per acre, No. 2 to the 
same party for $43 per acre. The first lot contained a little 
over ten acres, the other a little over six acres. The whole 
amount received was $996.56. Other lots were as follows : 
Ministerial river meadow near Mr. Israel Wheeler's was sold 
July, 1817, in two lots. No. 1 to Lewis Moore for 1146.69, 
- No. 2 to Israel Wheeler for $154.40. " The ministerial land 
laying near the meeting house " was sold August, 1817. It 
contained about thirty-eight acres, and was disposed of in 
lots as follows : No. 1 to Walter Haynes and Thadeus 
Tower for $462, No. 2 to William Moore for $406.87, No 3 

to Capt. William Rice for , No. 4 to Joshua Jones for 

$372.15, No. 5 to Israel Moore for $336.81, No. 6 to Joshua 
Jones for $10. " The total sum arising from the sale of the 
ministerial lands in said town amounts to $3200.96. At the 
close of this period, March, 1825, the following report was 
rendered to the town by the Ministerial Fund Corporation : — 

Capt Silas Puffer Note the sum of 

M r Lewis Moore " " " " 

Mr. Israel Wheeler " " " " 

" Walter Haynes " " " " 

William Moore " " " " 

Thadeous Towers " " " 

Haman Hunt " " " " 

Josua Jones " " " " 

Joel Moore " " " " 

$3200 " 9(5 

The interest on this amount was paid to the Rev. Rufns 
Ilurlbut, agreeable to the act of incorporation. 



996 


" 56 


146 


" 69 


154 


" 40 


200 


" 31 


406 


" 87 


200 


" 31 


370 


" 86 


382 


" 15 


336 


" 81 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

1825-1850. 

History of the Sudbury Methodist Episcopal Church. — Members of a 
Baptist Society in Sudbury in 1828. — Town Farm. — Town House. 
— Erection of Tombs. — Ecclesiastical Disturbance.— Formation of 
a New Parish. — Building of a Meeting-House. — Dedication of it. — 
Death of Rev. Rufus Ilurlbut. — Sketch of his Life. — Settlement of 
Rev. Josiah Ballard. — The Old Parish. — Settlement of Rev. Linus 
Shaw. — Sketch of his Life.— Succession of Pastors.— Miscellaneous. 

Our theme shall be of yesterday, 
Which to oblivion sweeps away 
Like days of old. 

Longfellow. 

Between 1825 and 1850, important ecclesiastical events 
transpired in Sudbury. Measures that resulted in the forma- 
tion of the Methodist Episcopal Church were taken in the 
last part of the preceding period, but, as this church became 
established or largely developed in this period, the history 
of it properly comes here. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH. 

In 1823, a class was formed by Rev. Erastus Otis, in 
connection with the "Old Brick Church " at Marlboro, 
which consisted of the following members: Varnum Bal- 
com, leader, Webster Cutting, Buckley Willis, Emerson 
Brown, Abel Noyes, Samuel Dudley, Miss Abigail Dudley, 
Mrs. Noah Smith, Mrs. Edwin Cutting, Mrs. A. Noyes, 
Mrs. Varnum Balcom, and some others. Previous to the 
formation of this class there were but two members of the 
Methodist church in Sudbury. In the early stages of the en- 
terprise, meetings were occasionally held in the school -house 
of the north-west district; but, in 1835, the town voted not 



HIST OK Y OF SUDBURY. 473 

to allow the school-houses to be used for religious meetings. 
After this, preaching services were sometimes held in a hall 
at the house of Mr. Walter Haynes ; but not long was the 
little company to be without a church home. A paper was 
soon started by Emerson Brown, soliciting aid for the 
erection of a meeting-house. A part of the names are lost : 
the following are. some of the subscribers and their gifts, — 
Emerson Brown, $500 ; Edwin Cutting, $500 ; Isaac Par- 
menter, $500 ; Marshall S. Rice, $200 ; Martin Brown, $200 ; 

Solomon Weeks, $100 ; Amos Hagar, $50 ; Noah Smith . 

A piece of land for a meeting-house, consisting of sixty 
rods, was purchased of Luther Goodnow for the sum of one 
hundred and twenty-five dollars. It was conveyed by deed 
to Isaac Parmenter, yeoman, and Emerson Brown and Edwin 
Cutting, shoemakers ; and bears date Sept. 19, 1835. The 
meeting-house was soon erected, and in 1836 was dedicated. 
Rev. Abel Stevens, LL.D., preached the dedication sermon. 
In 1811, a bell was purchased at a cost of three hundred and 
three dollars and twenty-five cents, Edwin Cutting giving 
one hundred dollars. The new church was in what was 
then called the " Needham Circuit." After the erection of 
the meeting-house, meetings were held five days and thirty- 
one evenings in succession ; at which time it is supposed 
about fifty persons were converted. In the early years of 
the church, E. O. Haven afterwards Bishop Haven, then a 
young man, taught school in the vestry. The fact that the 
career of that widely-known and useful man was connected 
in its early beginning with this quiet spot adds to it a special 
interest and pleasantness. In that little meeting-house, hard 
by the margin of the town's common land and one of its old- 
time burial places, was the spot where at least two of Sud- 
bury's college graduates now living pursued their early 
studies. (See College Graduates.) Here, too, at least one 
worshiper, who afterwards entered the ministry, took the 
first step that led to that service (Rev. L. P. Frost). Rev. 
Charles Rogers, who for several years has been Presiding 
Elder, was one of the later preachers, and at the same time 
a teacher in the Wadsworth Academy. The very surround- 
ings of the place are suited to stir to reflection ; and when 



474 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



nature, in spring-time, clothes with green the shrubbery 
about it or there rests on it the stillness of the soft summer 
day, then the scene accords with the associations of the 
meeting-house, the wayside burial place, and the memories 
that cluster around the village green. From the time the 
meeting-house was completed the new church has moved 
steadily on. At its quarterly meeting, February, 1837, the 
Presiding Elder present was D. Kilburn. The same year the 
Conference sent as first pastor, Rev. Elias C. Scott. He 
taught school for which he received eighty-four dollars, and 
this, with what he received from other sources, made his 
salary three hundred and twenty-three dollars and fifty-five 
cents. Succeeding Mr. Scott are the following pastors of the 
church with their dates of service : — 



Luman Boyden 


1837-S 


Porter M. Vinton 


1863-04 


George W. Bates 


1839-40 


George Sutherland 


1804-05 


J. S. Ellis 


1840-41 


Philo P. Gorton 


1805-00 


P. R. Sawyer 


1841-42 


J. W. P. Jordan 


1SGG-07 


W. Tucker 


1642-43 


George E. Chapman 


1807-09 


G. W. Weeks 


1843 


Miles R. Barney 


1809-71 


Benjamin King 


1845-40 


Walter Wilkins 


1871-74 


Luther Caldwell 


1840-47 


John S. Day 


1874-75 


W. F. Lacount 


1847-48 


A. M. Sherman 


1875-70 


Horace Moulton 


1848-49 


Nathaniel Bemis 


1877-79 


George Frost 




J. Richardson 


1879-80 






L. P. Frost 
John W. Lee 




J. A. Ames 1880-S1 
F. O. Holman and M. D. Sill L881-83 


1852-53 


J. H. Gaylord 


1853-55 


A. R. Archibald 


1883-84 


M. Leffingwell 


1855-57 


J. Marcy 


1884-87 


Wm. A. Clapp 


1857-59 


Geo. H. Bolster 


1887-88 


Charles S. Rogers 


1859-01 


H. E. Wilcox 


1888-89 


Joseph Scott 


18GL-G3 







Nearly a half century ago the little congregation was gath- 
ered from various parts of the town; the Butterfields came 
from Lanham, the Parmenters and Noyeses from Peakham, 
the Battleses from the Gravel Pit district, the Bents and 
llayneses from Pantry. Years ago, some of these early 
worshipers passed from this place of prayer to the temple 
above. In 1875, Amos Haynes the old sexton died. For 
thirty-two years he had faithfully stood at his post and rung 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 475 

the bell at the hour of prayer. The familiar form of Thomas 
B. Battles about the same time was missed from the choir. 
Then the tall, slender form of George Goodnow, who had 
been a tower of strength, was also called to his reward ; and 
thus, one by one, they have passed away, till now only two 
remain whose names were on the church records forty years 
ago. Amid its many vicissitudes the church has never been 
closed more than one Sabbath at a time. The highest salary 
ever paid its minister was seven hundred dollars. The 
ladies have been associated in a society which has aided in 
all the church enterprises ; and a prominent member among 
them has been Mrs. George Goodnow who has faithfully 
planned and labored for the maintenance of the church 
through many years of its history. 

BAPTIST SOCIETY. 

In 1828, the following persons were members of a Baptist 
society in Sudbury : — 

Leander G. Wiley, Obadiah Osborn. 

Joseph G. Hunt, Azariah Walker. 

James Moore, John W. Haynes. 

Abijah Walker, Amos Haynes. 

Ruth Walker, W™ Stone Jr., 

Cyrus W. Jones, Thadeus Tower, 

David Lincoln, Hollis Gibbs. 

Marden Moore, Joel Dakin, Clerk. 

TOWN FARM. 

March 5, 1832, the town voted to purchase a Town Farm. 
The place selected was the property of Asa Noyes, situated 
in the north part of the town, and the same now used for 
the town's poor. In 1843, the town voted to build a house 
on the farm, and in 1845 it granted one thousand and 
seventy-six dollars and sixty-seven cents to pay for it. Some 
years ago the barn was burned and another was erected 
soon after. 

TOWN HOUSE. 

In 1845, the town voted to build a Town House. A 
committee was chosen consisting of five persons, one from 



476 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

each school district, to select a spot, bring in a plan, and 
estimate the cost. April 20, 1846, the town granted one 
thousand dollars for the building, and appointed a committee 
to confer with the First Parish about the terms on which 
the town could have a spot on the common to set a building 
upon. At a legal meeting of the First Parish held in April, 
1846, it was " voted that sd Parish give to the town of 
Sudbury liberty to set a town house on the meeting house 
common, nearly or partly on that part now occupied by 
the Center school house sufficient for the occupation of sd 
Town House, and ten feet passage around it. Provided, 
sd gift to sd town shall not be construed in any way to 
injure the title of sd Parish to the remainder of sd common." 
The town "voted to place the Town House where the school 
house now stands, provided, said Parish adheres to their 
agreement." A few years ago an iron safe was procured, 
in which to keep the town records, and placed in the Town 
House ; and recently, a fire-proof depository of brick-work. 
The west part of the Town House was formerly used as an 
armory of the " Wadsworth Rifle Guards ; " and rows of 
rifles and military accoutrements were ranged on the side of 
the long, narrow room. A part of this room is now used as 
a selectmen's office. 

ERECTION OF TOMBS. 

A petition having been presented to the town by William 
Hunt and others, for leave to erect a number of tombs on 
the northerly part of the meeting-house plot, nearly opposite 
the burying-ground, April 3, 1826, the town granted per- 
mission, and appointed a committee of five to locate the 
ground where they should be built, and to confer with the 
petitioners as to the plan, so as to have them uniform. In 
November, the committee reported a place, and recommended 
that leave be given the petitioners to fix upon some uniform 
plan of building to suit themselves. The report was accepted. 
April 3, 1830, Luther Goodnow, Asher Goodnow, Tilly Smith 
and Levi Smith received permission to erect tombs on the 
east side of the powder house. 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 477 

ECCLESIASTICAL DISTURBANCE. 

A prominent ecclesiastical event in this period was the 
formation of a new parish. The causes which brought 
this about had been at work for some years previously, and 
were, mainly, the same as those which wrought similar 
results in other New England towns about that time. In 
the early part of the century a controversy took place con- 
cerning certain theological questions, principal among which 
were the nature and mission of Christ, the measure or extent 
of human depravity, and man's need of regeneration by a 
personal Holy Spirit ; or, in other words, the Divinity of 
Christ, the Atonement, Total Depravity, Regeneration and 
the Personality of the Holy Spirit. The advocates of the 
liberal movement — among whom were Ware, Buckminster, 
Norton and Channing — sought to extend the principles of 
Unitarianism. On the other side, prominent theologians, 
among whom were Prof. Moses Stuart of Andover and 
Rev. Lyman Beecher, stoutly set themselves to oppose it. 
The controversy spread through society. In this part of the 
country the age became one of theological discussion, and, in 
the course of a few years, many old churches and parishes 
were divided into two organizations, one of which took the 
name of Unitarian Church, and the other of Orthodox Con- 
gregational or Trinitarian Church. The influence of this 
wide-spread discussion did not produce any marked result in 
the Sudbury church till about 1839. There were in the 
town records, some years before that time, various state- 
ments which indicate that dissatisfaction prevailed respecting 
the minister's theological views. The desire was expressed 
that Mr. Hurlbut would exchange more with the neighboring 
clergymen, " as formerly ; " and there was querying as to 
why he did not. Notwithstanding, however, the existence 
of dissatisfaction there was no outbreak until Mr. Hurlbut, 
whose health had become feeble, procured the services of 
another minister to supply the pulpit for a Sabbath. The 
attitude of the congregation then became clearly defined. 
On the Sabbath morning two new clergymen appeared on 
the scene, one provided by Mr. Hurlbut, the other by the 



478 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

parish committee. When Mr. Hurlbut and his minister 
arrived at the steps of the church, he found the door had 
been fastened, and that the minister whom the parish had 
provided was within. Says one, who was standing by and 
witnessed the affair and heard the conversation, " Mr. Hurl- 
but informed the committee that he would like to introduce 
his minister. The request being granted, they passed in, 
and Mr. Hurlbut, after making a few remarks to the people, 
left the meeting-house. A large share of the congregation 
left also, and, with their minister, went over and worshiped 
that morning with the Methodists." Soon after, they hired 
a hall, which stood on the site of Mr. Sewall Taylor's wheel- 
wright's shop. It had two stories and a gallery on three sides 
of the audience room. It was subsequently used as a wheel- 
wright's shop by Edwin Harrington and was destroyed by 
fire about thirty years ago. 

FORMATION OF A NEW PARISH. 

Shortly after the events just narrated a new religious 
society was organized. March, 1839, a warrant was issued 
by Christopher G. Cutler to Israel How Brown, an applicant 
for the same, requiring the said Brown to notify all the 
legal voters " who have congregated the year last past for 
public worship in a building owned by W m Brigham in said 
Sudbury to meet at said building" March 25, at one o'clock 
in the afternoon, for the purpose of " organizing according to 
law a religious society for the public worship of God." The 
petitioners for the warrant were Enoch Kidder, A. B. Rich- 
ardson, Israel II. Brown, Abel Dakin, Joseph Cutter, Roland 
Cutler and Gardner Hunt. The meeting was held pursuant 
to warrant, and, in the absence of C. G. Cutler, Esq., and at 
his request, Lyman How, Esq., presided. Samuel Puffer 
was chosen clerk and William Brigham moderator. Nahum 
Goodenow, William Brigham and I. H. Brown were chosen 
assessors, and William Rice collector and treasurer. The 
assessors were also chosen as the prudential committee, and 
the same persons were also appointed to report a name for 
the new society. It was voted at the same meeting to grant 
eight hundred dollars for preaching the ensuing year. The 



SISTOEY OF SUDBURY. 479 

committee presented the name of The Sudbury Evangelical 
Union Society, which was accepted and adopted. The 
word Sudbufy was afterwards struck off, leaving the name 
of the society as it stands to-day. A second meeting was 
held, April 8, 1839, at which Lyman How, Esq., was chosen 
moderator. The society at that meeting voted to build a 
meeting-house " on the plan of the Orthodox Society of 
Marlboro." A committee chosen at the previous meeting 
for selecting a suitable building spot reported " that it is 
expedient to set the house on the ground near the Black- 
smith's shop owned by Jonas Tower." A building com- 
mittee was chosen of which Mr. Gardner Hunt was chairman. 
This committee was instructed to borrow money for building 
the house on the credit of the society ; and, after the com- 
pletion of the building, to sell the pews to defray the 
expense of construction. A contract was concluded May 27, 
1839, between Gardner Hunt, William Brigham and Jonas 
Tower, building committee, and Mr. Jeremiah Flint. Mr. 
Flint, by the terms of the contract, was to have for the work 
fifty-seven hundred dollars. The society was to provide the 
foundation and the steps, and the work was to be completed 
by the following November. At a meeting Dec. 25, 1839, 
it was voted to direct the building committee to sell the 
pews on the appraisal that had been reported, reserving 
the right to tax to an amount not exceeding five per cent, 
per annum on the appraised value. Also voted to direct the 
committee to sell the pews on the day after the dedication 
of the house, and give deeds of the same. In the sale of the 
pews, No. 1 was to be reserved for the minister, and the 
four under the gallery were to be reserved for free seats. 
The valuation of the pews varied from forty dollars to one 
hundred and five dollars, and the total amount was forty- 
seven hundred and five dollars. At a meeting of the society, 
held Feb. 10, 1840, it was voted to direct the parish and 
assessors to " circulate a petition for to obtain money to 
procure a bell." The money was raised and a bell was 
purchased at Medway. Jan. 1, 1840, the meeting-house was 
dedicated ; Rev. Mr. Horsford of Saxonville preached the 



480 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

sermon. April, 1840, it was voted to sell rights to build 
sheds on the society's lands. 

While the new meeting-house was in process of comple- 
tion, Rev. Rufus Hurlbut passed away. He died May 11, 
1839, having been pastor of the church twenty-two years. 
He was a son of Steven Hurlbut, and was born in South- 
hampton April 21, 1787, graduated at Philips Academy in 
1808, and at Harvard College 1813. He studied theology 
with Rev. Thomas Prentiss, D.D., of Medfield, whose 
daughter Mary he married Dec. 17, 1817. His wife was the 
granddaughter of Dr. John Scollay, who was for over forty 
years town clerk of Boston. Mr. Hurlbut was tall and thin, 
of dignified demeanor, agreeable and gentlemanly in his 
ways. He lived at the present Smith Jones house. He was 
buried in the old burying-ground where a slate stone marks 
his grave. 

SETTLEMENT OF FIRST PASTOR. 

Feb. 15, 1841, Rev. Josiah Ballard was called at a salary of 
six hundred dollars, and accepted the call. His installation 
took place March 2, 1841. The council was composed of the 
following ministers with their churches : Rev. Messrs. Brig- 
ham of Framingham, Harding of East Midway, Corner of 
Berlin, Hyde of Wayland, Horsford of Saxonville, Dyer of 
Stow, of Medfield, Woodbridge of Acton, Means of Con- 
curd, Day of Marlboro. Rev. Mr. Buckingham of Milbury 
preached the sermon. For a time the tax for preaching was 
levied upon each person on the basis of the town valuation, 
but later, the money was raised by subscription, and recently 
the envelope system has been employed. 

THE OLD PARISH. 

After the division took place, the old parish disclaimed 
any formal or legal relationship to Rev. Rufus Hurlbut. 
March, 1830, it declared by vote that it no longer considered 
him their minister as he had withdrawn from them. The 
records state that after " a portion of the church and con- 
gregation had withdrawn and formed a new Society called 




THE HURLBUT PARSONAGE, Sudbury Centre. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 481 

Orthodox the old Society enjoyed the outward services of the 
Gospel irregularly," and that the church was reduced to a 
small number. We have not ascertained from record what 
membership was left ; but Deacon Thomas P. Hurlbut was 
accustomed to state that "but one member remained with 
the old Parish." All the property was retained by the old 
society ; but the indications are that a portion, at least, of 
that which was portable was transferred to it by those who 
no longer worshipped at the old meeting-house, since one 
of the records of the Evangelical Union Church, dated 
February, 1839, is as follows : " To choose a committee to 
settle with Levi Dakin, the present Treasurer of the Church, 
and take the papers and money now in his hands, and keep 
them until claimed by the church, which may be formed in 
the first Parish." A few years afterwards the First Society 
had an increase of membership, and the church was reor- 
ganized as the records of the old parish state. (Page 38.) 
"In the Fall of 1844 the Church was reorganized, and a 
number of persons came forward and united in the Lord's 
Supper, with the few who were members before, and were 
acknowledged members of the First Church. The number 
then uniting was twelve." 

For a time the old society had different preachers to 
supply the pulpit. From March 30 to September 22, accord- 
ing to a record book of Capt. Israel Haynes, no less than 
twelve different ministers preached there. In the summer 
of 1841, Rev. Linus Shaw was invited to preach, which he 
did till fall. Soon after, the meeting-house was remodelled, 
and in 1844, he was invited to preach there again ; he did so, 
and the result was his settlement as pastor. He was installed 
June 5, 1845, and continued in the pastorate till his death. 

REV. LINUS H. SHAW. 

Linus H. Shaw was born in Raynham Nov. 29, 1804, where 
he fitted for college with Rev. Enoch Sanford, pastor of 
the Trinitarian Conq - re«'ational Church. He entered Brown 
University, which he left at the close of two years in 1827, 
to engage in teaching. He was for a time second principal 
of the Bristol County Academy at Taunton, and in 1830, he 



482 History or sudbury. 

entered the Divinity School, Cambridge, where he remained 
three years. In 1834, he was ordained at Athol. He mar- 
ried Lonisa Alden Jones, and had five children, — Louisa, 
Henry, Joseph, Maria and Helen. In 1850, he built a house 
on Plympton Hill, a little north-east of Sudbury Centre, 
where he lived until his death, Jan. 5, 1866. Mr. Shaw 
was an estimable man, a valuable citizen, and much respected 
by the community. lie was small in stature, dignified and 
gentlemanly in demeanor, quiet and unassuming in his ways. 
Nov. 24, 1864, he preached a sermon at a union service, held 
by the several churches of Sudbury, on the subject, " The 
Black man and the War ; " which, at the people's request, 
was printed. Since the death of Rev. Linus Shaw, the fol- 
lowing ministers have acted as pastors for the First Parish : 
Revs. Bond, Dawes, Webber, Knowles, Willard, Sherman, 
E. J. Young and Oilman. For several years the church has 
had preaching but a small portion of each year. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

In 1825, " the building Lanham Bridge was let out to 
E. Fairbank and David How for the sum of eighty eight 
dollars." 

In 1826, the town granted thirty dollars " to furnish din- 
ners and powder for soldiers muster day." 

In 1828, voted to exchange the old bell for a new one. 

April 7, 1828, a road was accepted "from W m Hunt's 
land, over land of Elisha Hunt to Lanham." 

Nov. 14, 1831, " the town gave leave to have stoves placed 
in the porch of the meeting house, the funnel passing into the 
house up through the roof." Rev. Rufus Hurlbut offered to 
pay fifty dollars towards the expense of the stoves, provided 
others would raise the remaining amount. A subscription 
paper was started to which thirty-five names were sub- 
scribed. The sums pledged varied from fift} r cents to six 
dollars, making in all one hundred dollars. Only three of 
the thirty-five are now living, — Walter Rogers, Hopestill 
Brown and Willard Walker. 

In 1832, a road was accepted by the town " from the Berlin 
road to Ephraim Moore's." "Voted that the Poor be left 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 483 

to the Overseers of the Poor to let them out to one or more 
contractors for one year as they shall think best." 

In 1833, the town chose a committee to petition the Post- 
master-General for a post office at the Centre, and also " to 
have the North and South offices discontinued. At the same 
meeting " voted to take the map [of the town] of Mr Wood 
at sixty-eight dollars." Also "-voted that each individual in 
town shall have a map of the town for twenty-eight cents." 
Also " voted to authorize some person to give a warranty 
deed of the John Green farm." 

In 1835, the town gave liberty to Thomas Plympton to 
enclose with a fence " the graves of his father and mother 
and family connections now buried in the grave yard." 

In 1848 and 9, much excitement was caused in Sudbury, in 
common with other places, by the discovery of gold in Cali- 
fornia. The discoverer was James W. Marshall, who first 
saw it near the saw-mill of Capt. John A. Sutter, Feb. 2, 
1846. The " gold fever " became quite general, and a 
number of persons started out in the hope of making their 
fortune, among whom were Humphre}' Sawyer, Hiram Burr, 
Haman Hunt, Nichols Brown, Samuel and Edward Bacon, 
Thomas Stearns, Samuel Carr, Eli H. Willis, Samuel Gar- 
field, Elbridge Haynes and Levi Dow. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

1850-1875. 

Names Applied to different Sections of the Town. — Division into 
Districts. — Change in the Districts. — Description of South Sud- 
bury. — Location. — Location of the Railroad Station. — The Boston 
and Worcester Highway. — Houses Situated along this Highway 
half a Century Ago. — Changes in Buildings. — The Village Grocery. 
— Captain Kidder's Shoe Shop. — Sketch of Captain Kidder. — 
Sketch of Mrs. Kidder. — The Mill. — Wadsworth Monument. — 
Industries. — Modern Improvements. — Former and Present Owners 
or Occupants of Homesteads. — The George Pitts Farm. — Descrip- 
tion of Sudbury Centre. — Location. — Oldest House. — Location of 
Old Buildings. — Noon House. — Parsonages. — Old Burying-Ground. 
Common. — Grocery Stores. — Mills. — Former and Present Owners 
or Occupants of Homesteads. — North Sudbury. — Location. — Post 
Office and Postmasters. — Industries. — Iron Ore. — Grocery Stores. 
Change in Construction of Houses. — Taverns. — Saw-Mill. 

We may build more splendid habitations, 

Fill our rooms with paintings and with sculptures, 

But we cannot 
Buy with gold the old associations. 

Longfellow. 

As we enter upon the history of the last half of the 
present century, it may be appropriate and interesting to 
pause in the narrative and notice some changes that have 
taken place in the various villages and districts as these 
relate to the occupants of homesteads, to industries, and the 
location of dwelling-houses, stores and shops. In doing this, 
it is desirable and essential to describe things as they are in 
the present period, not only that by the contrast we may 
better note the change which the passing years have brought, 
but that a knowledge of the present may thus be imparted 
to those who are to come after us, to whom the present will 

484 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 485 

be the past. Different terms have been used to designate 
the different parts of the town in different stages of its 
history. In early times, it was the " East and West Side of 
y e great River;" later, it was the "East and West Pre- 
cinct," or the "East Side" and "Rocky Plain." After a 
time, the West Side was divided into wards for the purpose 
of notification of town meetings, road repairing, and militia 
organizations. At one time the territorial limit of certain 
official duties was the old Lancaster road. This ancient 
highway, probably, divided the town more equally than any 
other landmark of that time. Still later, the town was 
divided into districts for school purposes. The locality gave 
its name to the school, and the school gave its name to the 
district. But soon after the middle of the century the 
school districts underwent a change. The Pantry school- 
house at the road corners was removed, and a new building 
was erected by the " Great Road " for the North part or 
North Village. Another school-house was erected about a 
quarter of a mile south of Pantry bridge, and two schools 
were established at the Centre. A year later a school-house 
was built at South Sudbury. These events somewhat 
changed the designation of different parts of the town by 
districts ; yet, notwithstanding this, the history of the town 
is so associated with the five old and familiar school districts, 
that it is expedient to follow this division in describing dif- 
ferent parts of the town outside the villages. Before de- 
scribing the various school districts, however, we will give 
a description of the villages. The town has three distinct 
villages, — South Sudbury, Sudbury Centre and North Sud- 
bury. These all lie in a line, north and south, about midway 
of the town. 

SOUTH SUDBURY. 

The village of South Sudbury is about a mile south of the 
Centre, on the Boston and Worcester highway and the Mas- 
sachusetts Central and northern branch of the Old Colony 
Railroad. Until recently it was known as "Mill Village." 
It has a store, post office, machine shop, blacksmith's shop, 
school-house, chapel, grist-mill, a junction depot, the Good- 



486 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

now Library, and about fifty dwelling-houses. The depot is 
a little westerly of the village, in the locality known to the 
old inhabitants as "Dana Hunt's swamp," formerly part 
wood and part pasture, which belonged to the old Thompson 
estate. The place was once resorted to by the villagers for 
bilberries, and children picked young checker-bush there. 
The swamp, though not large, contained a variety of shrub- 
bery, mixed with pines, oaks and birches. In winter it was 
quite a resort for partridges, affording both feeding-ground 
and shelter for them. An old hunter informed me that he 
had passed through there in the morning and shot birds, and 
returning at night had taken others, which had flown in 
during the day from the neighboring woods. 

The oldest house in the village is the " John Allen house,' 
first east of the store on the north side of the road. It 
probably dates as far back, at least, as 1700, and may have 
been built by Abraham Woods, who near that time leased 
the mill, or by the Noyeses who built it. The house for- 
merly had a long sloping roof on the back, was painted red, 
and had a door on the east side. Tradition tells of a small 
house that stood near the site of the blacksmith's shop by 
the mill. It also says that, one day, the Indians appeared 
on the rising ground just over Mill Brook (Leavett's Hill), 
and a woman at the house made them think men were about 
by calling out, "Be quick, boys, the Indians are coming!" 
whereupon the Indians fled. 

South Sudbury has undergone various changes. The 
Boston and Worcester highway formerly went south of 
Green Hill, then followed "the old road" to the village, 
and beyond the bridge it turned southerly and left the Cutler 
and Walter Rogers houses on the north, and came out by the 
W heeler house near the clay-pits that were formerly on the 
old Gibbs farm. This highway in former times was much 
travelled. Loaded teams came from as far as Vermont, and 
sometimes two or three stages daily passed over it. One 
day a three-horse team from Brookfleld was coming up Green 
Hill when a flash of lightning killed every horse. Along this 
road the village was built. The only buildings on the south 
side of it fifty years ago, between Abel Smith's at Green Hill 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 487 

and the bridge, were Capt. Enoch Kidder's house (John B. 
Goodnow's), built in 1813 or 14, the mill buildings, the 
blacksmith's shop (J. P. Allen's), built in 1826 and lately 
demolished, and an old barn nearly opposite the Allen house. 
In this old barn, tradition says, a noted character, commonly 
called Tom Cook, sometimes stopped for the night. This 
man was a notorious tramp or itinerant thief, well known for 
his eccentric ways. A little later the Kidder shoe shop was 
built, just east of the Kidder house. On the north side of 
the road were about a dozen buildings between Green Hill 
and the bridge. The first by the brook was a blacksmith's 
shop, where the Browns made billhooks, cleavers, hatchets 
and knives ; next to this was the Thompson malt house, to 
which the town's people brought barley for malt ; beyond 
this was the William Brown place, a low, one-story house; 
and further on at the west corner of the Boston and Worces- 
ter and meeting-house roads was the " tavern stand ; " 
beyond the tavern, on the opposite corner, was the store 
kept by Gardener and Luther Hunt, a small building with an 
L running north ; next in order came a dwelling-house since 
burned, Fisher's wheelwright's shop, the Woods or Allen 
house, the Fisher house, and a few rods up the hill the house 
occupied by Josiah Richardson, which is still standing. Be- 
tween this house and Green Hill was only the Cutter place 
(Hiram Goodnow's) and the Gideon Richardson place (now 
Newton place). Up to 1825, there was no house on the 
" meeting-house road " to the Israel How Brown place. Such 
was South Sudbury half a century ago. The changes that 
have come over it have been gradual ; no sudden or single 
stroke has swept the landmarks away, but one by one they 
have gone. The old store was burned Feb. 14, 1841, and the 
one built in its place shared a like fate in 1887. A new mill 
was erected in 1853, which in 1886 was burned, and the same 
year another was built on its site. The blacksmith's shop and 
malt house, after years of disuse, were torn down, one about 
thirty, the other about forty years ago. About 1864, the 
tavern buildings were demolished. In 1861 and 62, the 
Goodnow Library was put up by John Harriman. In 1857, 
Wadsworth Academy was built, and in 1879 it was burned, 



488 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

and the Congregational Chapel erected in its place in 1880. 
Thus change has been active with its busy hand. The 
history of some of these buildings that have thus passed 
away is of considerable interest. The old store was the only 
village grocery for scores of years, as was also its successor. 
Tradition says it was established by Capt. Levi Holden, who 
commanded the "south militia company." Subsequent to 
Captain Holden's possession, it was owned by Asher Cutler, 
and kept by Abel Cutler and Jesse Goodnow, and was pur- 
chased by Messrs. Gardener and Luther Hunt near the 
beginning of the present century. Much spirituous liquor 
was sold at this grocery to the people in all the country 
round, till the starting of the temperance cause, when the 
traffic in rum there ceased. G. and L. Hunt were succeeded 
by Charles and Emory Hunt. The present proprietor is 
George, son of Emory. Formerly, this store was the centre 
of an extensive trade. About the year 1850, there was a 
large barter in straw braid. Women and children braided 
straw in their homes from the material cut green in the rye 
field, then dried, whitened and split, and turned straw upon 
straw in " seven strand," which brought from a half cent to 
two cents a yard. Teams from the neighboring towns 
brought this work, which was exchanged for a variety of 
wares, and the hitching-posts of the entire store front were 
sometimes all in use at one time. An old store sign was 
"Furniture, Feathers & Crockery Ware Rooms," and this 
included stoves, carpets, and sundry commodities not always 
found in a country store. In process of time the braid trade 
ceased, the old mill that " brought custom " ceased for a time 
"to grind the towns corn," the old "firm" was dissolved, 
and a part of the store became a private dwelling-place ; 
since then the other part has been an ordinary store for the 
sale of English and West India goods. Besides Hunt's 
store another place of some interest was the " Kidder shoe 
shop." This has lately been remodelled and made into a 
private residence, but for years the upper part was a shoe 
shop and the lower used as a grocery. In the earlier life of 
the well-known proprietor, business at this shop was very 
brisk. In addition to the local patronage, marketers were 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 489 

accustomed to leave orders as they came from the towns 
beyond. This was, perhaps, one of the last places where the 
old " tongue " boot was made. The Kidder shop was quite 
a resort for the villagers on a wet day or winter's evening. 
There they gathered and gossiped and smoked as the night's 
early hours went by. It was a quaint old place. Pictures 
of a jDatriotic and political character — " The Battle of 
Bunker Hill," "The Storming of a Mexican Fort," like- 
nesses of Webster, Benton, Calhoun and Clay — were upon 
the walls, and near the ceiling hung two flint-lock muskets 
left over when the militia broke up. Captain Kidder was 
bent in form and looked old when those now middle-aged 
were young. He was a Whig and held various town offices. 
His wife was the village florist, and various and wonderful 
to our eyes were the plants and flowers that grew in Mrs. 
Kidder's " front yard." Besides these, there were in the 
side yard beds and boxes of plants. In this collection was a 
fig-tree which she had cultivated from the seed and which at 
one time bore one or two hundred figs. On the place were 
high cherry-trees, heavy in their season with luscious fruit, 
and apple-trees that were choice and in those days rare. 
Mrs. Kidder was a good-hearted, benevolent woman, of large 
hospitality, and, like her husband, was much esteemed. As 
the Kidders were so well and so widely known, a short 
sketch of the household may properly be considered a part 
of the historic sketch of South Sudbury. 

Enoch Kidder was born in 1777 and died in 1865. He 
was a brother of Dr. Kidder, a physician of Sudbury. (See 
Chapter on Physicians.) In early life he learned the tan- 
ner's trade. On moving to Sudbury he commenced the 
manufacture of boots and shoes. For a time he occujued 
the Josiah Richardson house. After building the Kidder 
house, for a time he used the east part of it for a shop or a 
lodging-place for his apprentices. His trade was largely 
with the old shoe firm of Faxon and Company of Boston, 
and his reputation was known far and near as a manufacturer 
of reliable work. At one time he was captain of the militia, 
and was sent as representative to the Legislature. His wife, 
Hannah Newton of Marlboro, born in 1781, was, before her 



490 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

marriage, a school teacher, and was a personage as con- 
spicuous as was the shrubbery that adorned her home. Her 
loud, cheerful voice was a familiar sound in the village, as, 
on a bright morning in June, she bustled about the premises 
as busy as the bees among her bright flowers. A green 
turban sat on her head which broadened her genial face, and 
when she went out for a neighborly call she wore a " calash " 
of the same color. Besides Mr. and Mrs. Kidder, the house- 
hold consisted of a daughter Nancy, born in 1807, who was 
the only child living, and Miss Almira Cutter, the house- 
keeper. Nancy was the pet of the home and a general 
favorite ; she was of delicate health and died in 1856. 
" Mira " Cutter, as the housekeeper was familiarly called, 
belonged to the Cutter family of Sudbury. She went to 
Mrs. Kidder's to spend the day and remained forty years, 
having the main charge of the household and outliving the 
whole family. She died a few years ago and was buried in 
the Kidder tomb in Wadsworth Cemetery. 

Another object of interest is the mill. At one time it was 
owned by Asher Cutler. We were informed by his grandson, 
the late C. G. Cutler, that he was very rigid, and would shut 
down the mill at sundown Saturday night. Asher Cutler 
left the mill jointly to his sons, Asher and Abel, the former 
of whom lived in the " Woods house." The fact that the 
house and the mill were both owned by the same parties at 
different periods leads to the conjecture that the two pieces 
of property, for a time at least, went together, and possibly 
the " Woods House " was built by the Noyeses who put up 
"the mill." Later owners have been General Sawin, a 
militia officer, who also owned the old tavern stand, Jesse 
Brigham, and Mr. Knight who sold it to Abel Richardson. 
This mill has not only ground the town's corn, but some also 
for the region around. For years it was a grist and saw-mill 
combined : the former was run by a large breast- wheel and 
had two run of stones, the latter, by a wheel of itself which 
ran an upright saw. The "Mill Lane," which led from the 
county road, used to be well filled with "saw logs," mostly 
white pine and oak. A few years ago, the old upper dam, 
which was a few rods north of the bridge, was in use. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 491 

Three gates that could be raised with an iron bar controlled 
the waters that for acres above, at certain seasons, set it 
back nearly to Hayden's bridge. The present dam by the 
bridge is of recent construction, and was built by Charles O. 
Parmenter, the present owner. The old mill was demolished 
about 1853, and another was put in its place, which, about 
1866, was leased to Samuel Rogers and Company for manu- 
facturing purposes. After being used for making hats and 
leather board it again became a grist-mill, and so continued 
until, a few years ago, it was destroyed by fire. A new mill 
has been erected on the site of the old one, and still the 
farmers of Sudbury bring their grists to the same old spot 
where their grain has been ground for about two hundred 
years. Another building of interest was the Wadsworth 
Academy. (See Period 1850-1875.) The old tavern stand 
was another familiar spot. (See Chapter on Taverns.) 

The principal object of interest in this village is the 
Wadsworth Monument. From the hill slope (Green Hill), 
just east of the monument, is a magnificent prospect, as the 
countiy outstretches for miles to the westward without a hill 
to obstruct the view. On this hill-top was Wadsworth's 
last battle-ground. (See Period 1675-1700.) A part of 
South Sudbury village is situated in a quiet vale, with a spur 
of Green Hill on the north and Leavitt Hill on the south ; 
the former takes its name from the evergreens that once 
grew upon it, and the latter from Leavitt How whose home 
was on the south side of it ; an old cellar hole still marks 
the spot. 

INDUSTRIES. 

The industries of South Sudbury have been various. In 
1794, besides the saw and grist-mill run by Cutler and 
Holden, there was a fulling-mill run by Mr. Reed. About 
three-quarters of a century ago, bricks were made at the 
Gibbs place and also at the Farr farm. Clay-pits at both 
places are yet to be seen unless recently filled. As has been 
noticed, malt was made at the malt house (Thompson's), 
people coming from all parts of the town for this product. 
Leather was tanned by William Wheeler at a place just 



492 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

beyond the bridge, near the old " upper dam." There were 
also tanning vats on the "Island" (land between the ma- 
chine shop and the mill). On the "meeting house road" 
was a bakery. It was moved from the spot just east of the 
Willard Wheeler house, and is now owned by John Jones. 
About 1850, William Jones and Theodore Brown had a shoe 
manufactory at what is now the Bowen place. Since 1850, 
shoe tacks and nails were made at the mill by Calvin How, 
and hats and leather board by Rogers and Moore. The main 
business in and about South Sudbury has been farming. Of 
late years, early gardening has received much attention and 
greenhouses have been used by some. The first greenhouse 
in Sudbury was erected in 1879 by Hubbard H. Brown for 
raising cucumbers. He has since erected three more, all of 
which cover six thousand feet of ground. Since 1882, thirty 
greenhouses have been built. There is now used for raising 
vegetables and flowers nearly one hundred thousand square 
feet of land covered with glass. Fifteen farmers and gar- 
deners are engaged in the work. It is estimated that seven 
hundred tons of coal are consumed yearly, and about fifty 
thousand dollars are invested in the business. The buildings 
are all heated by hot water except in one instance where 
steam is used. Most of these are used for raising vegetables, 
such as cucumbers, lettuce, rhubarb, tomatoes, etc. One 
house has twenty-eight thousand lettuce plants, another has 
twelve thousand carnation pinks. In 1881, the manufacture 
of machinery was begun at South Sudbury by Rufus H. 
Ilurlbut. The business is now carried on by the firm of 
Ilurlbut & Rogers. The machine shop is near the Parmen- 
ter mill and the Massachusetts Central Railroad. 

MODERN IMPROVEMENTS. 

The first carriage in town was owned by John Brown. 
A wagon was owned by Christopher Cutler nearly fifty or 
seventy-five years ago which cost eleven dollars. The first 
kerosene lamp \v;is used by Miss L. R. Draper (Mrs. A. S. 
Hudson) at the Willard Wheeler house. The first mowing 
machine was owned by John AVhitman Rice, and used on 
the Farr farm. The first sewing machine was, perhaps, the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 493 

one used by Kichard Horr at the Kidder shop for stitching 
" shoe uppers." It was operated by a crank turned by hand. 
Hard coal was, perhaps, first used at Hunt's store. 

The former owners of most of the farms in and about 
South Sudbury have been given in connection with other 
parts of its history ; we will, therefore, only mention the few 
that remain. The Thadeus Moore place was the Ashbel 
Hayden place ; the main house was the Thompson house, 
moved from just beyond the bridge at South Sudbury village. 
The Nathan Haynes place, just beyond Lowance Brook or 
Hunt's Bridge, was the Jonas Hunt place. The small red 
house with gable roof, on the South Sudbury and Fram- 
ingham highway, just beyond the Old Colony Railroad, was 
moved to its present position, many years ago, from the 
Bryant place just beyond the William Stone house. Walter 
Rogers' farm was formerly part of the Cutler place and was 
owned by Major Holden, and before that by Mr. Seger, a sea 
captain. The C. G. Cutler place was the old George Pitts 
place. A building formerly stood south of the present one, 
near which the old road passed. It was once used for a 
tavern, and was probably kept by George Pitts, at whose 
house one of the early meetings was held to consider the 
matter of having preaching on the West Side. (See Period 
1700-1725.) The George Pitts farm once contained a large 
land tract which was granted to him in 1715. The record 
of this grant is as follows : In 1715, at a meeting of the 
proprietors of the common and undivided land in Sudbury, 
" Said Proprietors by unanimous vote without any Contra- 
diction did give and grant to George Pitts of Sudbury and 
his heirs and assigns forever all the common land as the 
committee hath viewed it and returned and bounded it that 
is to say, all y e common Land Lying between the new Mills 
in Sudbury and so from there as the road goeth to Marl- 
borough to the gate y 1 Leads to Capt Brown's y* is, all the 
Land on the South Side of the road as it is bounded and the 
meadows called Lowance meadows Lying east south and 
west of the land, all which land the Proprietors have granted 
to George Pitts, only the Proprietors reserve for our con- 
venient Drift ways to the above said Lowance Meadows, 



494 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

and gravell to mend the Mill Dam and the highways as there 
shall be occasion. This vote passed into an act as attest. 

" Peter Haynes Moderator 
" This said land is on the west side of Sudbury river." 
(Proprietor's First Book of Records, page 175.) 

SUDBURY CENTRE. 

The " Centre," or, as it was formerly called, the " Middle 
of the Town," is situated on the northern branch of the Old 
Colony Railroad, and nearly midway of the town. It has 
three churches, a school-house, town-house, blacksmith's 
shop, wheelwright's shop, grocery store, depot and three or 
four dozen dwelling-houses. The place was anciently called 
" Rocky Plain," afterwards " The West Precinct," and dates 
its beginning as a village about 1725. The oldest house in 
the village is, probably, the " Tower house," now owned by 
Frank E. Bent, and situated next south of the Orthodox 
Church. Its date is unknown, but it looked old in the youth 
of the oldest inhabitant, as did also the Lewis Moore house, 
the next but two further south, where Mr. Moore, the village 
cooper, in an L running northerly, once plied his trade. 
The Tower house, prior to its possession by Mr. Jonas 
Tower, was occupied by a man named Noyes. This house 
may have been the first one erected on " Rocky Plain," and 
the one referred to in the Town Records as " the new 
house." This village has undergone much change within 
the past seventy-five years. Early in this century there was 
a blacksmith's shop at what is now the corner of the railroad 
and highway, and northerly of the house of Horace Par- 
menter. The shop was kept by Josiah Haynes; nearly op- 
posite, north of the road, was a house since demolished 
occupied by Asa Haynes ; and a little beyond this on the 
bank, was the George Barker house, a low building with its 
four-sided roof, which stood until a few years ago. Dr. Taft, 
a physician, once lived there. Subsequently a store was 
kept at the place by Reuben Moore. Where Garfield and 
Parmenter's grocery stands, there was formerly a store kept 
by Ephraim Stone and Asahel Dakin, which was burnt about 
forty years ago, together with a tavern house which stood 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 495 

on the corner nearly north of it. Nearly opposite the grocery 
site the Powers house once stood, at which time it was 
painted red. At the Joel Moore place, since the residence 
of Lemuel Brown, the first house west of the Unitarian 
Church, a store was kept by Capt. Asahel Wheeler. This 
country store-keeper, we are informed by an old inhabitant, 
"was large, smart, and lived to be very old." For a long 
time he led the singing in the old church choir. Nearly 
opposite Captain Wheeler's store was a low, unpainted house 
which looked old seventy-five years ago. The school-house 
was near the bank by the town-house. It was a small, red 
structure, built towards the close of the last century. Its 
successor stood on the common at its south-east corner, and 
was moved to its present position only a few years ago. On 
the common, nearly front of the old parish meeting-house 
and under the large buttonwood-tree, was the horse-block 
where the people mounted and dismounted when they went 
on horseback to church. Near the site of the Orthodox 
Church once stood the blacksmith's shop of Abijah Powers. 
It was moved to its present location about 1839, and was an 
old building then. Before its possession by the present 
owner it was occupied by Myron Wright, and still earlier 
by John Wallace. A "noon house" stood near the horse- 
sheds ; perhaps there were more than one. These buildings 
were erected by private parties and furnished with fireplaces 
for the benefit of people between services on the Sabbath. 
Beyond the Common to the easterly,, in what was then the 
first house towards Boston (Loring parsonage), a tavern was 
kept by Walter Haynes. Beyond this, at the George Good- 
now house, Parson Bigelow lived. On the road to South 
Sudbury, at what is now the Smith Jones place, Rev. Rufas 
Hurlbut lived. 

The house now occupied by Luman Willis w T as the old 
Ashur Goodnow store. There a grocery was kept for years, 
and many a townsman still remembers the bent form of the 
aged proprietor as he dealt out his wares. The second 
building westerly of the Unitarian Church was erected by 
Dr. Thomas Stearns, about a half century since, and used 
for his residence till his decease : and after the " old Corner 



496 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Tavern " was burnt it was used for a public house by 
Webster Moore. The present store building was moved to 
its present location since 1848. The lower story was for- 
merly the old Centre school-house. Various traders have 
sold at its counters, prominent among whom were Stone and 
Dakin, Jonas Hunt and Smith Jones. The house occupied 
by Horace Parmenter was formerly owned by Capt. William 
Brio-ham, and was moved to its present location from a spot 
to the north-easterly, to give place to the railroad. The 
wheelwright's shop of Sewall Taylor is on the site of the 
building once used for religious services by the Evangelical 
Union Church. It was built in 1853, and was moved from 
South Sudbury, where it was originally Haynes's carpenter's 
shop, and later, Jones and Brown's shoe shop. In 1851, a 
saw and grist mill was built near Wash Bridge by Asahel 
Ilaynes. It is now owned by the Prescott Willis heirs. A 
small saw-mill once stood southerly of the Asa Jones place, 
which was built by Mr. Jones in 1842. It was moved about 
five years afterwards and demolished in 1851. Beyond the 
Willis mill is the Wash Brook bridge. About seventy-five 
years ago, the father of the late Reuben Rice of Concord was 
killed crossing this bridge ; he was engaged hauling lumber 
for the meeting-house when the load fell on him. Before 
leaving this part of the town, it may be of interest to men- 
tion the outlying estates as they were known to the older 
inhabitants. For the sake of brevity, we will place in two 
columns the present or recent and former names of the 
places, owners or occupants. 

PRESENT. FORMER. 

Charles Haynes. Curtis Moore. 

The Prescott Willis heirs. David Lincoln. 

Elisha Goodnow. Capt. William Brigham. 

Widow Asahel Dakin. Asa Jones. 

Francis Haynes. Samuel Jones, prior to him Maynard. 

John Quinn. Lyman Willis. 

Elisha E. Smith. William Maynard. 

George Moore. Newell Bent. 

Calvin J. Morse. Martin Moore. 

Theodore Morse. Jason Bent. 

Asahel F. Hunt. William Hunt. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 497 

W. H. Fairbank. Tilly Smith. 

Luke McCann. Henry Goodnow. 

Charles Haynes. Reuben Moore. 

John W. Rice (House recently Capt. William Rice. 

burned). 

Horatio Hunt. Thomas Hurlbut. 

Lucius Bent. Reuben Moore, Jr. 

Isaac Clark. Osborn. 

Aaron Hunt. Thomas Plympton (House demol- 

in 1886). 

Among the objects of interest about the village of Sudbury 
Centre is the old Burying-Ground. The Common, also, is a 
place of interest. Thither the minute-men repaired at the 
bell strokes on the morning of April 19, 1775. The train- 
bands of Sudbury afterwards made it their place of parade 
and spread their tents upon it on " old Election " or the 
Fourth of July. Generations of church-goers from the West 
Precinct's very beginning have strolled over it, or sat on its 
grassy covering during the intermission of Sabbath services ; 
and all that is mortal of many a former inhabitant has been 
borne over its quiet roadway to the church-yard beyond. 
The school children from the old red school-house made it 
their play-ground for many years. There the people talked 
politics on town-meeting day when the meeting-house was 
their voting-place, and about it clustered the first homesteads 
that made a village of Sudbury Centre. 

NORTH SUDBURY. 

The village of North Sudbury is in the northerly part of 
the old Pantry school district, which it was once a part of, 
and borders on Concord. It contains about thirty dwelling- 
houses, which is about the same number as were there both 
fifty and one hundred years ago. Whatever of village this 
locality has is mainly made up of scantily scattered farm- 
houses along the Boston and Fitchburg highway, which was 
built about 1800. It has a post office, kept by Edwin 
Conant. The school-house is by the " Great Road ; " it was 
built during the late Avar and cost three thousand dollars. 
Before its erection the pupils went to "the Pantry school." 



498 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The post office was established about 1880, on petition of 
Willard Maynard and others. The following postmasters 
served up to 1839 : Josiah Adams, Joseph Wheelock, Wil- 
liam Hunt, 3d. For a time, the postmaster at Lincoln took 
charge of the North Sudbury mail ; but, on petition of three- 
fourths of the town voters for the removal of the South office 
to the Centre, the South postmaster, wishing to retain his 
office, suggested to the people of the north part to petition 
for the re-establishment of a post office there, which they 
did with success. The petition for an office at the Centre 
was refused on the ground that it was nearer the South office 
than the department rules would allow. The new office at 
the North was kept by John Sawyer. Various small indus- 
tries have engaged the attention of the people of this neigh- 
borhood in the past. In 1770, a Mr. Brown had a harness 
and whip shop near the south side of the Tavern Plain. In 
1780, Samuel Dakin and Deacon Dakin had cooper's shops, 
and there was another near J. H. Adams's in 1825. A shoe- 
maker's shop was at J. Puffer's tavern in 1800, and N. 
Barrett had a shoe shop one-half mile east of Pratt's tavern. 
Daniel Bowker had a blacksmith's and axe shop between 1790 
and 1820, and John Haynes had a blacksmith's shop from 
1820 to 1840 and a wheelwright's shop from 1835 to 1845. 
Abijah Brigham had a blacksmith's shop one mile west of 
Pratt's tavern from 1770 to 1800. The site is now in May- 
nard. Thus the ring of the anvil and hammer have been 
heard in the past where now not a shop exists. In 1827, 
iron ore was taken from the edges of bog meadows and from 
different farms to the amount of over one hundred tons, 
which was carted to Concord River at Lee's Bridge and 
taken in boats to Chelmsford. 

About 1815, a grocery store was kept a few years by Asa 
Puffer, one-half mile west of Pratt's Tavern, and at the same 
place groceries and dry goods were kept by Josiah H. Adams 
from 1822 to 1830. In 1820, William Hunt, 3d, and William 
Wheeler kept a grocery and dry goods store, a half mile east 
of Pratt's tavern, and at the same place from 1825 to 1851 
Nahum Thompson kept a stock of the same articles. Gro- 
ceries were also kept by John Sawyer, three-quarters of a 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 499 

mile west of Pratt's tavern, from 1830 to 1840. In this part 
of the town the most noted tavern was perhaps the old Pratt 
Tavern, burned in 1887. This was built previous to 1820 
by Nathan Wheeler, adopted heir of Isaac Puffer, who many 
years kept a tavern in a house now owned by Mrs. McNulty. 
Since the first proprietorship the following persons have 
kept this inn : David Gerry, 1822 ; Earl Stratton, Willard 
Wiley, 1826 ; Lucius Dickinson, one year ; Joseph Wheelock, 
William Hunt 3d, Lyman Haynes, Solomom E. Pratt, about 
ten years ; Jesse Gibbs, Robert Burrington, Leonard Carter, 
1863. The farm and buildings were purchased of the Bur- 
rington heirs about 1864, by Capt. Abel B. Jones, who 
annexed the land to his farm and discontinued the tavern. 
Four stages daily, Sundays excepted, stopped at this inn for 
passengers and a relay of horses. The stage route belonged 
to Chedorlaomer Marshal, commonly called Kidder Marshal, 
of Fitchburg, who was mail contractor. 

This stage route continued after Mr. Pratt kept the tavern 
until the completion of the Fitchburg Railroad. Jonas Puffer, 
brother of Isaac, kept a tavern a half mile from his brother's 
during the last quarter of the last century, on the old Con- 
cord and Marlboro road, then much travelled, now almost 
deserted. The road through North Sudbury is called by the 
people of the place the " Great Road," and by those of the 
centre and South Sudbury the " North Road." The true 
name is the Boston & Fitchburg Road. 

But few homesteads in North Sudbury are possessed by 
the posterity of original proprietors. It is supposed that the 
ancestors of Frank M. Bowker, Jonathan C. Dakin and 
Frederic Haynes were probably the first settlers on the farms 
that their descendants now occupy, but other places have 
largely changed hands. There are in the district but few old 
houses. Most of those built from 1700 to 1725, which had 
two stories in front and one in the rear, and nearly all of 
which faced southward, whatever direction the road, were 
nearly all pulled down between 1820 and 1840, and were 
succeeded by houses of two stories, only one room in width 
with a projecting kitchen called an " L." It is said this 
style continued about twenty years and was followed by the 



500 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

modern house of various shape. A saw-mill once stood near 
the place now owned by George Barton, which was built by 
Joseph Noyse about 1775. The water power was insufficient, 
and the mill was finally sold, taken down and carried to 
Maynard. 

It is said that the saw, as it dragged down through the log 
and then went up, sounded as if saying, " Shall I go or shall 
I not.' 1 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

1850-1875. 

Description of School Districts. — Lanham District. — Territorial Limits. 

— School-House. — Old School Customs. — Order of Exercises. — 
Examination Day. — Former Dwellings. — Their Owners or Occu- 
pants. — Clay- Pits. — South -West District. — Origin of the Term 
Peakham. — School-house. — ■ Name of it. — District Limits. — Location 
of Railroad Station. — Places of Historic Interest. — Mills. — Present 
and Former Owners or Occupants of Homesteads. — North-West 
District. — Location of School-House. — Assabet Village. — The 
"Rice Tavern." — The Oldest House. — Early Inhabitants. — North- 
East or Pantry District. — Territorial Limits. — Origin of the Name. 

— Railroad Station. — Pantry School-House. — Poetic Description of 
it. — Mr. Israel Haynes. — Incident of his Life. — Block House. — 
Old Loring Parsonage. — The Gravel Pit. — Historic Reminiscences. 

— Taverns. — School-House. — Indian Grave. — Government Store- 
Houses. — Training-Field. — Irregularity of Town Boundary Line. — 
Cause of it. — Caleb Wheeler Farm. 

Each man's chimney is his golden mile-stone, 
Is the central point, from which he measures 

Every distance 
Through the gate-ways of the world around him. 

Longfellow. 

LANHAM DISTKICT. 

This word has been spelled Lanham, Landham and Lan- 
num or Lanum. (For origin, see page 70.) As a school 
district, it formerly extended a half mile westerly of Mill 
Village (South Sudbury) and southerly to just beyond Hunt's 
Bridge. Lanham proper extends from the South Sudbury 
and Wayland highway to Framingham line, and from Heard's 
Pond to Lowance'Brook. Various changes have taken place 
in this district, noticeable among which is the removal of the 
school-house to its present location. It formerly stood on 

501 



f>02 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the town's common land, near the Coolidge place, between 
the three roads, and was removed but a few years since. Its 
predecessor was an old red structure built, probably, about 
a century ago. We remember it as a nearly or quite square 
building with a roof sloping four ways and a small L for an 
entry on the south. The windows were high, and on the 
rude benches and desks were the signs of misspent hours, 
where the idler with his jackknife had made his mark. As 
the customs of district school life here were, probably, the 
same in the other districts, we will allude briefly to some of 
them. There were two terms in the year, called the " winter 
school " and the " summer school." The former began the 
first Monday in December and closed about the first of March. 
The beginning and the ending were both great events. The 
first was attended by early rising and repairing to the school- 
house to get a " good seat." While propriety gave the back 
scats to the elder scholars, the principle acted on was " first 
come, first served/' Weeks beforehand, books were put in 
the desks as a kind of half claim, but the day the school was 
opened the room was occupied long before daybreak. At 
nine o'clock the schoolmaster appeared, sometimes attended 
by the local " committee man." He at once became the 
object of common and curious scrutiny, his sagacity, stature 
and strength being then and there duly considered. The 
names and ages of the scholars were then taken, and the 
questions to each, "What have you studied?" " How far 
have you been ? " " What studies do you expect to take ? " 
were quickly put and answered, and the classes were formed. 
The order of exercises in the morning was as follows : roll- 
call, reading of the Scriptures, each scholar rising and read- 
ing a verse in (urn, prayer at the option of the master, and 
classes in reading, arithmetic and writing, interrupted by a 
short recess at half-past ten. In the afternoon the order was, 
usually, reading, beginning with the first class, geography, 
grammar, history and spelling. The recess was at half-past 
two. The "nooning" was from twelve to one. This was 
usually employed by the boys, in good weather, at ball, 
"round ball" being the favorite. The Massachusetts Cen- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 508 

tral Railroad now runs over the old ball-ground, which lay 
east and west of the bridge. 

Such was the usual routine as the weeks passed by. Now 
and then some little episode would break in, as when the 
" committee came in " or the school had a sleigh-ride some 
bright winter's day, or a half holiday for some reason was 
given. At the close of the term was examination day, 
familiarly called the "last day." This was the great event 
of the term, when the committee, and friends, and visitors 
from other districts came in. The day before was always 
devoted to washing and trimming the school-room. The 
floor was scoured till it was almost white. The woods were 
searched for evergreens, and wreaths and festoons were 
made to decorate the nicely cleaned walls. When all was 
completed, the weary workers sat down to a feast, made up 
of pie and cake brought by the girls, and confectionery pur- 
chased by the boys with a collection of small change. After 
the recitations of examination day were over the committee 
"made remarks," the clergyman offered prayer, and the 
visitors retired. The master lingered for a time to make 
some parting remarks, or perhaps to present a card or book 
or bestow a reward for good conduct, and then " school was 
done." The summer school was always taught by a woman, 
and lasted two or three months. The older boys and girls 
were kept at home this term to assist in the household and 
on the farm. 

Besides changes connected with the school, many others 
have occurred in Lanham in the last hundred years. A 
stone bridge has taken the place of the wooden one. On 
the site of the Nahuni Goodnow house, built in 1886, the 
old house of John Goodnow the centenarian once stood. 
The latter, built by Mr. Gooodnow when a young man, is 
still standing a few rods to the north. At or near its present 
site was a small building where Mr. Goodnow lived when 
he first came to his Lanham estate. The lane, running 
westerly by Lanham meadows towards Lowance to William 
Goodnow's, is old. On the north side of it various dwell- 
ings once stood, a man named Gibbs living in one of them. 
Near where the Brooks house now stands was the old Elisha 



504 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Hunt homestead. Several generations of Hunts have lived 
in this house, which was probably built at least one hundred 
and fifty years ago. It is now moved easterly, to the north 
side of the road, and is used as the farmhouse of the Brooks 
estate. The first house on the place, tradition informs us, 
was built of planks, and was half frame and half log house ; 
it stood at or near the original site of the farmhouse. By 
the roadside, at the corner a few rods west, was a small, low, 
unpainted building consisting of two rooms, once used for a 
school-house. At one time Isaac Moore, a Revolutionary 
soldier, lived there. His son, Warren, was in the privateer 
service of 1812, and was made prisoner and taken to Dart- 
moor Prison, England. In this district was the old Good- 
now Garrison. (See page 199.) In this district are several 
clay-pits ; some are near Heard's Pond, and some are men- 
tioned in the records as being near the town line. Lanham 
brook is the lower part of Hop brook. Robinson brook, 
near Green Hill, has its name from the Robinson family, 
which lived south of the road on the east bank of the brook. 
The Massachusetts Central Railroad station in this district 
is called East Sudbury. 

SOUTH-WEST DISTRICT. 

This district has also been called Peakham. It is stated 
that a man by the name of Peakham once owned a little land 
in that part of Sudbury, and that the land was called after 
the name of its owner ; from which circumstance the whole 
locality thereabouts came to be called Peakham. The area 
embraced in tlte original limits of this district is large, but 
it contains neither post office, village, nor even any consider- 
able hamlet. The school-house is situated a little northerly 
of the South Sudbury and Marlboro road, and was built 
towards forty years ago. A school-house has stood on the 
spot at least a hundred years. Latterly, the school was called 
the "Wayside Inn School," but for several years it has been 
discontinued, and the scholars being few are carried to South 
Sudbury. 

Formerly, children attended the Peakham school from as 
far south and east as the Brown farms near the Framing- 



RESIDENCE OF NAHUM GOODNOW. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 505 

ham line, and from as far north as the Perry and Moore 
places. This district lies along a large share of the town's 
western border, but is perhaps at no point more thickly in- 
habited than within a half mile of the school-house. The 
Massachusetts Central Railroad runs through it, and has a 
station called the " Wayside Inn Station." The situation of 
this depot is exceptionally secluded, no other building being 
in sight on account of the woods by which it is nearly sur- 
rounded. The district has several places of considerable 
historical interest, and has been the birthplace and home of 
some of Sudbury's most prominent men. Here is " Howe's 
Tavern " or the " Wayside Inn." (See chapter on Taverns). 
Here is the old Walker Garrison House, and the sites of the 
Parmenter and old Brown garrisons. (See Chapter XI.) 
Here, at Nobscot, was the house of John Nixon, and here 
was the small-pox hospital. For years there were three 
mills in this district, —Howe's, Dutton's and Moore's. The 
first, early in the century, was owned by Buckley Howe, 
and still earlier by Joseph Howe. It was for years a grist- 
mill only, but subsequently it was made use of by J. C. 
Howe as a manufactory of shoe nails. It stands on Hop 
Brook a short distance above the Wayside Inn, and was the 
most westerly mill on this stream in town. 

Dutton's mill was built by Joel and Samuel Knights about 
1780. They also owned and used it. About the same time 
they established a West India goods store on the " Dutton 
farm." Moore's or Pratt's mill was erected about 1740, by 
Daniel Woodward, its first owner, who died in 1760. In 
1794, it was called Perry's saw-mill. Mr. Woodward also, 
about one hundred and fifty years ago, built the house occu- 
pied by Capt. James Moore, whose grandfather married Mr. 
Woodward's daughter. At first this mill was only a saw- 
mill, but in 1830 a shingle mill was started there, and in 1837 
a grist and bolting mill were put in by Ephraim and James 
Moore, who divided the property in 1848. Colonel Ephraim 
Moore used the mill until about twenty-five years ago, since 
which time it has been owned by S. B. Rogers, and latterly 
owned and used by Nathan Pratt. 

Heavy timber once grew on the Peakham district. (See 



50G HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Chapter I.) These lands, though some of them sandy and 
light, have yet been fairly productive by the diligence and 
thrift of its inhabitants. In the hundred years last past, 
great changes have taken place in the occupants of old home- 
steads. 

The following are some of these changes, as given by Capt. 
James Moore when over eighty years of age. In the left 
column are present or late owners or occupants, and opposite, 
in the right column, are the earlier owners or occupants of 
the same places. 

Newton and Spencer Brown. Samuel Brown. 

Hubbard Brown. John Brown. 

, Luther Cutting. William Brown, brother of John. 

John Dakin. Caleb Brown, later Abel Dakin. 

The above farms were probably one estate originally, and 
belonged to William Brown, an early grantee. (See Chap- 
ter III.) 

Nahum Goodnow. Isaac Gibbs. 

George Stone. Wm. Stone, Innholder. (See chapter on Taverns.) 

Above the Stone place, on the left of the road that goes to 
the north, was the Jeduthan Moore farm. Two old, unpainted 
buildings stood there until within thirty or forty years. 

Jonathan Bacon. Rily, later, Joel Jones. 

Near the junction of the South Sudbury and Marlboro 
road with the road to the school-house, was a house owned 
by a man named Dalyrimple. 

Abel Willis. Ezekiel Loring. 

Beyond the Willis place was the Dutton house now re- 
moved. Next to the Dutton house, on the corner, and now 
removed, was a house formerly occupied by Peter Willard, 
carpenter. 

Abel Parmenter. Peletiah Parmenter. 

This was an old Garrison House. (See Chapter XI.) 

Addison Parmenter. Jedediah Parmenter, brother of Peletiah. 



HISTORY OF StTDBURY. 507 

The next building is the Wayside Inn. 

Calvin Howe. David Howe. 

West of Nobscot Hill there was a house destroyed by fire 
which was formerly occupied by David Howe. 

Otis Parmenter. Israel Parmenter (original owner). 

In a lane near the Dutton place was a farm once owned 
by Caleb Clark, but now a part of the Dutton place. 

Solomon Dutton. Samuel Knight of Charlestown (original owner), 

Abiathar Carr. Plympton (original owner). 

Willard Walker. Deacon Thomas Walker (Garrison). 

Above the Willard Walker place was the Abner Walker 
place, buildings now gone. 

Madison Parmenter. Micah Parmenter (original owner). 

Abijah Walker. Oliver Morse. 

Hayden farm. William Hayden. 

Back of Hayden's farm lived John Moore, grandfather 
of Deputy Sheriff John B. Moore of Concord. (Building 
now gone.) 

Joseph Noyes. Eliab Hayden. 

Dudley place. Benjamin Dudley. 

Perry place. Ebenezer Perry (original owner). 

Woodward Moore. Daniel Woodward Moore. 

Capt. James Moore. Daniel Woodward. 

This house is in point of age perhaps second or third in 
Sudbury. Cider-mills once stood in this district at the 
houses of Buckle}^ Howe, David Howe at Nobscot, Micah 
Parmenter, Paul Walker, Capt. James Moore, John Brown, 
and at the Wayside Inn. A prominent person who lives in 
this district, and one of the oldest citizens of the town, is 
Capt. James Moore. He is a descendant on his mother's 
side of Daniel Woodward, before mentioned as the builder of 
Moore's Mill. For years Captain Moore was one of the 
town's selectmen and moderator of its meetings. 



508 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



THE NORTH-WEST DISTRICT. 

This district formerly bordered on Concord and Stow, but 
when Maynard was set off, about two thousand acres of it 
became a part of that town. This locality was a school dis- 
trict for probably at least a hundred and fifty years. The 
school-house stood in about the centre of the district, by the 
county roadside, not far from the Balcom estate. As only a 
part of the original district comes within the present town 
limits, only a few facts about it will here be stated. The 
village of Assabet, now Maynard, was for years the com- 
mercial centre. A paper-mill was built there about seventy 
years ago, it is supposed, by William May, and a grocery 
store was kept by J. Sawyer. Near Jewell's mills, over the 
river, a saw-mill once stood, and there was also on a brook 
near the Daniel Puffer house another mill, which was con- 
nected with the farm. It had but little head of water, and 
because it ran slowly the people used to start it and then go 
to their work. A tavern was kept nearly ninety years ago 
at what has since been the Levi Smith place. But the old- 
time tavern best known in the district was kept by Jonathan 
Rice. It was an inn for about a hundred years. Says an old 
resident, " The last quarter of the last century on the very 
old Concord and Marlboro road then much travelled, now 
almost deserted, in the west part of Sudbury, was the noted 
Rice tavern, kept by the same family as early or earlier than 
1750. Col. Jonathan Rice was the last proprietor, and closed 
it about 1815.*' The building stands just north of the 
present town bounds. 

The oldest house in the district is supposed to be the 
Daniel or Jabez Puffer house. It is not known when or by 
whom it was built, but it is surmised to have been built by a 
Pratt, Puffer or Wedge. Some of the earlier occupants of 
this .list i'ut were Jonathan Rice, Jabez Puffer and Peter 
Smith ; other early occupants were Amos, Asahel and Heze- 
kiah Smith, Richard Taylor, Mathias Rice, Jonas Balcom, 

Wedge, Ephraim Pratt, William Rice; and still later, 

but yet early, Benjamin Smith, Henry Vose, Ithamer Rice, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 509 

Abijah Brigham, Joel, Micah and Asa Balcom, Loring 
Wheeler, Daniel and Reuben Puffer and Abel Willis. 

THE NORTH-EAST OR PANTRY DISTRICT. 

Another district in Sudbury is that which has been famil- 
iarly called the " Pantry School District." This is in the 
north-easterly part of the town, and takes in the region about 
the head of " Gulf Meadow" and of a small stream called 
"Pantry Brook." The district may have been named after 
the aforesaid brook, but whence the name of the brook, 
probably no one knows. It may be from a shortening of the 
term Pine-tree. 

A natural feature of the district is the extensive " Gulf 
Meadows," which at high water are overflowed in places, 
nearly up to the county road. This district is sparsely 
peopled, if we exclude the village of North Sudbury, which 
is now hardly within its limits. It has neither store, shop, 
nor mill, but scattered about it are well-kept homesteads and 
farms, where live a thrifty and industrious people. A saw- 
mill stood by the brook many years ago. The northern 
branch of the Old Colony Railroad passes through the 
locality, and has a station which is called North Sudbury. 
About a half mile southerly of the station is a school-house, 
and about an equal distance north-easterly is the North Sud- 
bury cemetery. One of the marked changes of this district 
in the past quarter century is the removal of the " Old 
Pantry School-House," a place once dear to many an inhabi- 
tant now middle aged or already grown old. This school- 
house formerly stood at the road corners near the Pantry 
bridge, and was latterly like others of the town, a one-story, 
white building, with two doors towards the south. There for 
years the youth of the "North part " went to school. From 
the east and north they came, from nearly as far as the town 
line, and from the south and west from half to three-quarters 
this distance. But the children of this district go to school 
at that spot no more. 

A few years since, the old school-house was moved and 
became the depot of the Old Colony Railroad, and has since 



510 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

been destroyed by fire. lis former site remains unmolested 
as the town's common land; and the place once merry with 
the shouts of glad school children is now voiceless, save as 
the words of the transient traveller break the silence of the 
play-ground of this old-time school. The routine of school 
life here was doubtless like that of the other school districts, 
and such as is described in our sketch of " Lanham." It 
may not however be inappropriate to introduce here a poetic 
description by Hon. C. F. Gerry, an old pupil of "Pantry." 

PANTRY SCHOOL. 

I'm thinking of the school-house, Ned, 

Where, sitting side by side, 
We studied Webster's spelling-book, 

And laughed o'er Gilpin's ride ; 
And traded jackknives now and then, 

When not engaged in play, 
And got our jackets nicely warmed, 

How often I'll not say. 

I'm thinking of the roadside green, 

Of every tree and nook, 
And how, in sultry hours of noon, 

We swam in Pantry Brook ; 
And, when upon the casement came 

The ruler's tattoo loud, 
How each of us in passing in 

Took off his hat and bowed. 

I'm thinking of the benches rude, 

And desks so broad and steep, 
On which we left our autographs, 

In letters wide and deep ; 
And of my first new writing-book, 

Without a stain or spot, 
So soon adorned, on every page, 

With many an off-hand blot. 

I'm thinking of the " Old Slough," Ned, 

Whose waters dark and cool 
So often laved our sunburnt feet, 

While on the way to school ; 
On whose warm rim the tadpoles lay, 

In spring-time, many a score, 
While golden lilies richly bloomed 

In summer, near the shore. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 511 

I'm thinking of the forest hoar 

Where fir-trees densely grew, 
And tired feet in mosses sank, 

While hunting gum to chew ; 
And of the pleasant meadows, where, 

On many a scattered tree, 
The red-winged blackbird sang in spring, 

His love song, " Quonk-a-ree." 

I'm thinking of the hour-glass, Ned, 

With sands so white and fine, 
On which our teacher smiling gazed, 

As neared the hour to dine ; 
But feel my sands are wasting, Ned, 

For oft the children say, 
While fondling them upon my knee, 

" Papa, you're growing gray." 

A short distance from the North Sudbury Depot is the old 
residence of the late Israel Haynes, who, it is said, cast the 
decisive vote that elected Charles Sumner to the United 
States Senate. 

Mr. Haynes was an old -line Democrat, and that year 
represented Sudbury at the General Court. When the vote 
was taken for Senator there was for a time no choice ; but 
Mr. Haynes liked the young man Sumner, and he changed 
the equipoised balance by a break from the party vote. By 
this ballot Sumner went to the United States Senate, where 
he championed liberty's cause and stirred up those elements 
that burst forth into civil war, which made our whole land 
free. What an influence thus went out from this quiet 
place, and how changed our nation's history by this silent 
act ! Mr. Haynes belonged to the old Haynes family 
of Sudbury and had a numerous progeny, some of whom 
still live on the old estate. On the Haynes farm, and south 
of the homestead, perhaps forty or fifty rods distant, once 
stood a block house. It was a small structure, heavily built, 
and demolished nearly a century ago. This doubtless was 
the stronghold for the neighborhood in the Indian war. (See 
page 200.) South-westerly of the depot a half mile or more 
is the Town Farm, or the " Poor Establishment," as it is 
sometimes called. In the southerly part of the district, on 



512 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the estate of the late William Hunt, stood the old residence 
of Rev. Israel Loring. The building was latterly an old red 
structure with along slope roof at the back, and was used 
for years by Mr. Hunt as a lodging place for some of the 
town's poor, under the system of boarding paupers at the 
lowest price bid. Such are some of the features of " Pantry," 
as it is and was, in the not far distant past. Like other 
districts, it is dear to many who remember the days of the 
old district schools, but the reminiscences that are rich about 
it are passing or are passed away with the generations to 
which they belonged. 

THE GRAVEL PIT. 

Another locality of interest, though not called a district, 
is the vicinity of the .old causeway or gravel pit. The place 
is partly in Wayland, the town line running nearly midway 
of it. It takes its name from the gravelly bank by the road- 
side, from which the town has taken gravel for public pur- 
poses from the time of its settlement. Repeatedly on the 
records, as the years passed by, has the term Gravel Pit been 
inscribed ; and one objection of the East Side people to the 
division of the town was that by such an event they would 
lose the gravel pit. The locality had early occupation, and 
is often referred to, but outside the records little is left to 
indicate what it has been. The natural objects remain, but 
persons and their dwelling-places have passed away. There, 
was probably the west side of the ferry, before the build- 
ing of the causeway. Peter Noyes's boat may have been 
moored to those meadow banks, when it furnished the main 
means of transit to the town's early grantees as they went 
to the West Side. Before the town was divided into two 
parochial precincts, an effort was made to have a meeting- 
house built there. (See page 289.) There was the begin- 
ning ol* the old Lancaster road which went to " Nashuway " 
(Lancaster). There the road started that went to Noyes's 
mill at Hop Brook; and, from that point, a meadow path 
was laid out north and south over which the people hauled 
their hay. Several taverns have been kept there. During 
the Revolution a man named Wheeler kept a tavern there. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 513 

The house stood on the Thomas Battles place, which was 
formerly owned by John Taylor, and since, by the Wheeler 
Haynes heirs. It was burned down years ago. Later, a 
tavern was kept by Abel Cutler, and at another time by a 
Mr. Carter. A school-house was once located there, and 
a blacksmith's shop used by Mr. William Brown, and 
Thomas Plympton kept a store there. Near the gravel pit 
is a place once called " Judge's Point." There, by the hill- 
side, Micah Goodnow, a fisherman, lived, whom they called 
" Judge," which circumstance probably gave a name to the 
place. On the upland, not far from the training-field and 
northerly or north-easterly of it, is a spot where, tradition 
says, an Indian is buried. It is said he was shot from the 
east side of the river as he was exploring thereabout in a 
time of hostility, and that the gun is now in possession of 
John Morse, son of Noyes Morse of Wayland. It is a long, 
heavy piece, a rare specimen of firearm, and has been in the 
Noyes family for successive generations. 

The vicinity of this section is memorable in connection 
with the Revolutionary period. South-westerly on the hill, 
about a quarter of a mile away, were the government store- 
houses. (See period 1775-1800.) The land about the place 
was called Training-field Hill, the town owning about an acre 
there for training purposes. At one time a muster was held 
there. At the beginning of the present century there was 
an old, low building standing on or very near the spot where 
the George Taylor house stands ; in this house some of the 
government guard were boarded. The town's eastern 
boundary, as it runs through this locality, turns abruptly 
towards Wayland, takes in a small space, and then goes on 
in its regular course. The occasion of this was as follows : 
when the town was divided, a remonstrance was made by 
the inhabitants of the West Side, because, among other rea- 
sons, they would lose their training-field. Remonstrance 
was also made to the division by Caleb Wheeler, who stren- 
uously opposed having his farm of forty-three acres included 
within the limits of East Sudbury. It is supposed that, to 
compromise matters and so adjust things as to secure a 
division, the whole farm and the training-field were allowed 



514 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

to remain in Sudbury. At various times, propositions have 
been made for straightening the line, but all efforts to accom- 
plish it have thus far failed. The piece of land is triangular 
shaped, situated on Sand Hill, and the South Sudbury and 
Way land highway passes through it. It belongs to the Farr 
farm, and is still called the " Wheeler place." 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

1850-1875. 

The Wadsworth Monument. — Petition to the Legislature. — Response. — 
Description ol the Monument. — The old Slate Stone. — Fac-simile 
of it. — Dedication of the Monument. — Dismission of Rev. Josiah 
Ballard. — Sketch of his Life. — Ordination of Rev. Charles V. Spear. 

— His Dismission. — Installation of Rev. Erastus Dickinson. — His 
Dismission. — Sketch of his Life. — Rev. Webster Patterson. — Set- 
tlement of Rev. Philander Thurston. — His Dismission. — Sketch of 
Rev. George A. Oviatt. — Rev. Calvin Fitts. — Rev. David Goodale. 

— Rev. Warren Richardson. — Deacons. — Donation of Samuel Dana 
Hunt. — Bequest of Miss Emily Thompson. — Gifts from Mrs. Abigail 
Smith and Miss Ruth Carter. — Wadsworth Academy. — Congrega- 
tional Chapel. — Changes in School Districts. — In School-Houses. — 
Numbering the Districts. — The Goodnow Library. — The Building. 

— The Donor. — Incorporation of Maynard. — The Framingham and 
Lowell Railroad. — The Massachusetts Central Railroad. — Miscella- 
neous. 

Look, how they come, — a mingled crowd 

Of bright and dark, but rapid days ; 
Beneath them, like a summer cloud, 

The wide world changes as I gaze. 

Bryant. 

The period between 18f)0 and 1875 was an eventful one 
to the country. In it occurred the great and calamitous 
Civil War; and Sudbury, in common with other towns, bore 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 515 

a share in the toil and the sorrow that were incident to it. 
Before, however, entering upon this subject we will give the 
annals of the town exclusive of those relating to the war. 
In presenting these, we shall, in some instances, make our 
narrative more consecutive by mentioning events that oc- 
curred outside the period. 

THE WADSWORTH MONUMENT. 

An important event that occurred early in the last half of 
the present century was the erection of the Wadsworth 
Monument. February, 1852, a petition was presented to the 
Legislature of this Commonwealth, in which, after a brief 
rehearsal of the events in connection with the Wadsworth 
fight, the petitioners say " that a small, temporary monu- 
ment was erected many years ago by the Rev. Benjamin 
Wadsworth, President of Harvard College, over the grave 
of his father, Captain Wadsworth, and his associates in arms. 
Said monument being in a dilapidated condition, it is desir- 
able that it be rebuilt in a more durable form. Wherefore, 
at a legal town-meeting held for that purpose, your peti- 
tioners were chosen for a committee and instructed to 
petition your Honorable body for aid in erecting a suitable 
monument to the memory of said officers and men." 
Signed, " Drury Fairbank and thirteen others." 
The committee on military affairs, to which was referred 
this petition, in closing their report say : " The petitioners 
further state that said monument, which still bears the 
names of those brave officers, is now in a dilapidated condi- 
tion, and must soon go to destruction unless some immediate 
measures are taken to rebuild it ; and that the inhabitants 
of Sudbury, being actuated by a strong desire to preserve it, 
are willing to defray a portion of the expense attending its 
rebuilding, if the State will aid them in so doing ; although, 
independent of the fact of its being located within the limits 
of their town, they feel no greater interest in its preserva- 
tion than should be felt by every patriotic citizen of the 
Commonwealth. Your committee concur with the petitioners 
on this point. True, the monument is intimately connected 
with the early history of Sudbury ; but is it not also quite 



516 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

as intimately connected with the history of the State ? And 
should not every son of Massachusetts venerate and hold 
sacred these ancient landmarks, so to speak, wherever upon 
her soil they are found, which serve so forcibly to remind 
him of the struggles, the trials, and the valor of his fore- 
fathers ? . . . They do not ask the State to erect a new 
monument over the remains of those who survived a san- 
guinary strife, and died among their own kindred and friends 
after a long enjoyment of that for which they contended ; 
nor do they ask to have such a monument erected away 
from the scene of that strife; bat they ask that the State 
will aid them in the discharge of a duty which they feel 
belongs to every patriotic citizen of the Commonwealth, — 
that of endeavoring to preserve from destruction a simple 
and not expensive monument, built by their forefathers 
nearly a century and a quarter ago, over the single grave of 
the twenty-nine gallant men whose memory it was designed 
to perpetuate, and upon the very spot where their lives were 
sacrificed in the service of their country, and which is fast 
o-oino- to decay. Your committee are of the opinion that this 
case . . . has no precedent and can establish none. And, 
even if it should establish a precedent, it is a good one, and 
one which should be followed in all similar cases, if any such 
should be hereafter presented, for it would be an indelible 
stain upon the escutcheon of Massachusetts and a source of 
the deepest mortification to her sons, if a single spark of 
patriotic feeling remained in their bosoms, if these sacred 
memorials of her past history were permitted to go to 
destruction, merely because their preservation would involve 
the expenditure of a few paltry dollars from the public 
treasury." Accompanying this report is the resolve, "That 
a sum, not exceeding five hundred dollars in all, be and the 
same is hereby appropriated towards defraying the expense 
of repairing or rebuilding, in a substantial manner, the mon- 
ument in the town of Sudbury, erected by President Wads- 
worth of Harvard College, about the year 1730, to the 
memory of Capt. Samuel Wadsworth and a large number of 
other officers and soldiers and others in the service of the 
colony, who were slain upon the spot marked by the monu- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 517 

merit, ... in the defence of that town against the Indians, 
— the said sum to be expended under the direction of His 
Excellency the Governor, in connection with a committee of 
said town of Sudbury." 

Agreeable to the foregoing resolve, at a legal town-meeting 
held June 14, 1852, it was voted that Nahum Thompson, 
Drury Fairbank, Ephraim Moore, Enoch Kidder and J. R. 
Vose be a committee to superintend the building of the 
Wadsworth Monument. It was then voted to appropriate 
a sum of money, sufficient to complete said monument and 
finish about the same, out of any unappropriated money in 
the Treasury, said sum not to exceed five hundred dollars. 
His Excellency George S. Boutwell, then Governor of this 
Commonwealth, in connection with the committee of the 
town, "procured a handsome monument, consisting of three 
large square blocks of granite, one and one-half, two, and 
three feet thick, raised one above the other ; from the upper 
one of which rises a granite shaft, tapering towards the top ; 
the whole being twenty-one and one-half feet in height. On 
the front of the centre block appears the following inscription : 

This monument is erected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
and the town of Sudbury, in grateful remembrance of the services and 
suffering of the founders of the State, and especially in honor of 

Capt. Samuel Wadsworth, of Milton ; 

Capt. Brocklebank, of Rowley ; 

Lieut. Sharp, of Brookline ; 

and twenty six others, men of their command, who fell near this spot, on 
the 18th of April, 1670, while defending the frontier settlements against 
the allied Indian forces of Philip of Pokanoket. 

1852. 

(The date of the fight as above given is incorrect : see 
page 218.) 

In front of the monument is the slate stone which stood at 
the head of the old grave. " There is, in the rooms of a 
Boston Society, a broken slab, which is an exact facsimile of 
the lower part of this stone, and is claimed by some to be the 
original erected by President Wadsworth over the remains 
of his dead father and the men who fell with him. But 



518 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

there are no records or traditions to identify it, and the only 
mode of accounting for its existence is by supposing that a 
slab, first made, was accidentally broken in the stone-yard 
in Boston, and that the broken piece found its way into the 
collection, while another was made and sent to Sudbury 
where it has ever since remained." This monument is firmly 
set upon a foundation of split stone, six feet thick, five feet 
of which are covered with earth. At the foot of the monu- 
ment, in front, was an aperture through which the remains 
of the ancient martyrs, which had been disinterred, were 
deposited in the tomb, after which it was hermetically sealed. 
The monument is surrounded by a handsome iron railing 
twenty feet square, durably and strongly set. The whole 
cost of monument, fence, and grading was one thousand and 
fifty dollars. The foregoing quotations concerning the mon- 
ument, and the following account of the dedication, are taken 
from a Report, published by the town in 1853 : — 

" This new tribute to the memory of our fathers was dedi- 
cated on the 23d of November, A.D., 1852. There would, 
probably, have been a very full attendance had it not been 
for a steady, continued snow-storm through the day. 

" A number of military companies had been expected, and 
had the day been pleasant the ceremony would have been 
imposing. As it was, the affair went off well. 

" At a little after ten o'clock a procession was formed at 
the Town Hall, under the marshalship of Col. Drury Fair- 
bank, in the following order: — 

"Sudbury Brass Band, Marshall Eaton, leader ; Sudbury 
Wadsworth Rifle Guards, in grey uniform and full numbers, 
commanded by Capt. Ephraim Moore ; this corps marched and 
looked well, and the band attached performed excellently, 
although it has been formed scarcely a year; carriages con- 
taining His Excellency George S. Boutwell, Governor of this 
Commonwealth, and the invited guests; citizens on foot. 
The procession moved over the road to Saxonville, south- 
ward, and within a mile of the Town Hall, turned to the 
left, where, in the rear of a newly located burying-ground, 
appeared a neat granite column. It was in this vicinity that 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 519 

the event which the ceremonies of the day commemorated 
took place ; the scalped and mangled bodies of Captain 
Wadsworth and his command having been found scattered 
over a small space of ground in the brushwood. After 
marching around the monument, the procession moved back 
to the Town Hall, the upper floor of which was soon thronged 
with many hundred guests, nearly one-half of whom were 
ladies. The remains of the ancient dead were then brought 
in, and the six boxes containing them deposited in the hall 
near the door. These remains are in a remarkable state of 
preservation, many teeth being perfect, and the skulls and 
other bones of several bear the marks of the Indian bullet 
and the Indian tomahawk, the evidence of blows that fell 
one hundred and seventy-four years ago. 

" The medical gentlemen who have had the care of these 
bones since their disinterment are Dr. O. O. Johnson of Mill 
Village, Sudbury, and Dr. Goodnough ; they find twenty- 
seven pairs of thigh bones and fragments of two pairs more, 
corresponding to the number of men that are mentioned by 
history as having been slain. In one skull there is a hole 
half an inch wide and several inches long, directly over the 
temple in the left side of the top of the head, answering 
exactly to the size of a tomahawk blade ; in another, the 
lower jaw shows a similar aperture below the teeth where 
the weapon has crushed in sideways. But the most remark- 
able thing is the completeness of the teeth ; and in the left 
side of the lower jaw of one skull two of the teeth are worn 
down, as if by the constant use of a pipe, making a semi- 
circular cavity, the surface of which is perfectly smooth. 
The jaw indicated an aged man. One of the skulls was, 
evidently, that of a young man, the wisdom teeth not having 
been cut, but the majority were all of middle age, and the 
size of the bones of all gave evidence that, if they were not 
picked men, the trials of a colonist's life and the rough 
training of the early settlers was calculated to develop the 
physical nature of our ancestors in high perfection. 

" As soon as the Chief Marshal had arranged the audi- 
ence and obtained silence, Nahum Thompson, the President 
of the Day, arose and said ; Fellow Citizens, — we have 



520 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

assembled upon this interesting occasion to recall to our 
minds the services and sufferings of our forefathers, those 
devoted men, who sacrificed their lives that they might be- 
come, as it were, stepping-stones to the attainment of those 
innumerable and inestimable blessings and privileges, both 
civil and religious, which we their descendants are permitted 
to enjoy, and to dedicate to their memory yonder monument, 
that Granite Pillar, durable as the names of Wadsworth, 
Brocklebank and Sharp are imperishable; in doing this, it 
becometh us to acknowledge Him whose superintending 
providence has continually been over us ; I would therefore 
introduce to ou the Rev. Linus H. Shaw, who will address 
the Throne of Grace that God's mercy still rest upon us. 
The reverend gentleman made a very appropriate prayer ; a 
hymn was then read by Rev. C. V. Spear and sung by all 
present to the tune of ' Old Hundred.' 

" His Excellency George S. Boutwell was then introduced, 
and made an address." 

The proceedings which followed the address are thus de- 
scribed in the published account of the exercises : — 

" The company then adjourned to the lower room of the 
Hall, where dinner had been prepared by Mr. Wright, at 
which a blessing was invoked by the Rev. Mr. Spear and 
thanks returned by Rev. Mr. Lee. The entertainment was 
good, though the guests were not numerous and no speeches 
were made. It had been originally intended to have the 
dinner near the monument in Mr. Wright's tent, which had 
been erected ; but early in the morning, after everything had 
been prepared for the reception of fifteen hundred guests, 
the irons which fastened the upper part of the canvas to the 
masts suddenly unbent, in consequence of the immense 
weight of snow which had covered the tent, and the awning, 
with its superincumbent weight of snow, fell upon and cov- 
ered the tables. No damage will accrue, except the breaking 
of a small quantity of crockery and glass ware. 

"The dinner being over, all present reascended to the 
upper hall, where the bones were exhibited to the multitude, 
after which the boxes were removed, and the regular toasts of 



ftlSTORY OF SUDBURY. 52i 

the day were read by Nahum Thompson, Esq., and responded 
to by the band, so that all present were entertained with a 
succession of military pieces, well played, for the space of 
orer an hour. At half-past four o'clock the Governor with- 
drew and returned to Boston. After the regular toasts had 
been read and volunteer sentiments had been called for, Col. 
Wmthrop E. Faulkner of Acton, having stated some facts 
respecting the action that resulted in the death of Captain 
Wadsworth and his company, gave the following sentiment : 

"'The sons of Sudbury. — May they be as marked for 
martial courage, for prompt and vigorous action and true 
republican principles, as were those whose remains have just 
been removed to their last resting-place.' 

"To this, Colonel Fairbanks, the Marshal of the day, 
responded. 

" The clergyman of the Orthodox Society in town, Rev. 
Mr. Spear, then — having alluded to the unique character and 
great interest of the occasion, as the dedication of a monu- 
ment commemorating an event, the earliest in our history 
thus commemorated, and having referrred to the interesting 
character of Governor Boutwell's Address — gave the fol- 
lowing : ' The Orator of the day. — He deserves our warmest 
thanks for his lucid and deeply interesting sketches of the 
times and the scenes passed through, the causes of alienation 
which operated, and the characters developed and exhibited, 
during the progress of King Philip's War.' 

" Mr. S. D. Hunt of Concord then, by a well-timed classic 
allusion, complimenting the band which had contributed so 
much to the interest of the occasion, gave, as the closing 
sentiment, the following: — 

" • The Sudbury Brass Band. — May their shadow never 
be less.' 

" The occasion went off well, under the care of the follow- 
ing gentlemen : — 

"Committee of Arrangements. — Asahel Balcom, Lyman 
Howe, Abel B. Jones, Ephraim Stone, John P. Allen, in 
addition to the Building Committee : Nahum Thompson, 
Drury Fairbanks, Enoch Kidder, Ephraim Moore and Jona- 
than R. Vose. 



522 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

"Pall Bearers. — Tilly Smith, William Brigham, Israel 
Haynes, David Lincoln, Charles Gerry, Asa Jones, Jonas 
Tower, Jonathan Fairbanks. 

" After the closing sentiment, the audience, which through- 
out the exercises had given the most fixed attention, quietly 
dispersed." 

" The entire lot left by the proprietors for the Wadsworth 
monument consists of a parallelogram ten rods by four." An 
old deed mentions " the monument," meaning the old mound, 
as being " marked out in an oblong or square just about the 
centre of the farm." This was the Israel How Brown farm. 
When the committee decided not to erect the monument on 
the site of the old mound, but a little to one side (see page 
250), they procured a piece of land of Mr. Brown, a portion 
of which was taken for the enclosure that contains the monu- 
ment. The avenue leading to it was opened about the same 
time, and was a part of the same farm. In 1855, the select- 
men were instructed " to plant trees around the monument 
and on the avenue leading to it, the trees to be set at a dis- 
tance of not more than thirty feet apart." A few years ago 
a large white pine-tree stood within the enclosure easterly of 
the monument, but it was struck by lightning and afterwards 
cut down. The town expended over nine hundred and fifty 
dollars, besides what was received from the State, in erecting 
the monument and enclosing it with an iron fence. 

ECCLESIASTICAL EVENTS. 

During the third period of the century several changes 
took place in the Evangelical Union Church. March 15, 
1852, the society voted to concur with Mr. Ballard in calling 
a council for his dismission, and his pastorate in Sudbury 
soon after ceased. During the latter part of his ministry 
here he lived at the present George Parmenter place, which 
was then owned by several persons and leased for a par- 
sonage. The following is a brief sketch of his life : — 

REV. JOSIAH BALLARD. 

Josiah Ballard was born at Peterboro, N. II., April 14, 
1806. He learned the mason's trade, and worked at it for 




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tf^-Z^Ctsz.'Z. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 523 

some years. He fitted for college, completing his studies at 
Munson Academy, and graduated at Yale in 1833. He 
studied theology two years with Dr. Whiton of Antrim, N.H., 
and was licensed to preach in 1835. The same year he 
married Elizabeth D., daughter of Rev. John Whiton, D.D. 
He was settled at Chesterfield, N. H., then at Nelson, N. H. 
He was installed at Sudbury, March 3, 1841, and dismissed 
April, 1852. He was afterwards settled at New Ipswich, 
N. H., and at Carlisle, Mass., at which latter place he died, 
Dec. 12, 1863, aged fifty-seven. He had two children, — 
Edward O. and Catherine E., both born at Nelson, N. H. 
Mr. Ballard and his wife were buried at Carlisle, but were 
afterwards removed, and laid, in accordance with their desire, 
in the New Maplewood Cemetery at South Antrim, N. H., 
occupying one of the five family lots joining each other. Mr. 
Ballard was much esteemed in Sudbury. His influence was 
widely felt, and the remembrance of him was fondly 
cherished for many years after he left town. He was a re- 
served, dignified man, rather grave in manner and a hard 
worker. 

July 26, 1852, the society voted to extend a call to Rev. 
Charles V. Spear, at a salary of $650 ; and October 27 of 
the same year he was ordained and installed. The minis- 
ters who composed the council were as follows : Revs. John 
Todd, D.D., of Pittsfield, E. Russell of East Randolph, J. 
C. Bodwell of Framingham, Henry Allen of Wayland, W. 
C. Jackson of Lincoln, L. H. Angier of Concord, J. 
Ballard of New Ipswich, N. H., J. C. Woodbridge of 
Auburndale, and B. G. Northrup of Saxonville. The sermon 
was by Dr. Todd. Sept. 18, 1855, Mr. Spear was dismissed 
on account of ill health ; and May 14, 1856, Rev. Erastus 
Dickinson was called as his successor at a salary of $800. 
The council of installation was as follows : Revs. R. S. 
Storrs, D.D., of Braintree, Henry Allen of Wayland, Marcus 
Ames of Westminster, Levi A. Fields of Marlboro, and C. 
V. Spear of Pittsfield. The sermon was by Dr. Storrs. Mr. 
Dickinson remained in the pastorate of the church till June 
30, 1868, when he was dismissed. He was born at Plainfield, 
Mass., and graduated at Amherst College in 1832. He 



524 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

studied theology at Auburn Theological Seminary, and was 
ordained at Canton, where he preached a year. Subse- 
quently he was settled at Chaplin and at Colchester, Ct., and 
Sudbury. While at the latter place he was sent as Repre- 
sentative to the Legislature. On leaving Sudbury, his health 
being somewhat impaired, he went to Lakewood, N. J., 
where he was postmaster fifteen years. He died Sept. 4, 
1888, at the age of eighty-two. 

From the time of Mr. Dickinson's dismission the pulpit 
was most of the time supplied by Rev. Webster Patterson, 
until the settlement of Rev. Philander Thurston, Feb. 1, 
1870. The salary of Mr. Thurston was 11200. The install- 
ing council was composed of the Revs. T. D. P. Stone of 
Assabet, M. J. Savage of Framingham, C. H. Williams of 
Concord, A. S. Hudson of Burlington, E. R. Drake of Way- 
land, G. G. Phipps of Wellesley, and H. J. Richardson of 
Lincoln. The sermon was by Dr. J. M. Manning of Boston. 
Rev. Mr. Thurston was dismissed Sept. 22, 1874. Shortly 
after the close of this pastorate, Rev. George A. Oviatt 
became acting pastor of the church, and continued to serve 
in that capacity for a period of eight years. As a pastor he 
was kind and sympathetic, and one of those men who never 
grow old. Jan. 1, 1883, being enfeebled by sickness, he 
asked to be released from his charge, and the request was 
reluctantly granted. He had been a preacher for half a cen- 
tury, and had held five pastorates, — at Belchertown and 
Chicopee, Somers and Talcottville, Conn., and Sudbury. He 
was one year Secretary of the American Sunday-School 
Union, and three years engaged in mission work in Boston. 
The Shawmut Church, Boston, was organized as the result 
of his labors. In the War of the Rebellion he went to 
Louisiana in the division of General Banks, as chaplain of 
the 25th Connecticut Regiment. In that service he lost his 
health and it was never fully regained. He died at Sudbury, 
June 1, 1883, aged seventy-six, and was buried at Mount 
Auburn. 

Rev. Calvin Fitts preached for a few months after Mr. 
Oviatt resigned, and died at Sudbury in the fall of 1883. 
Rev. David W. Goodale commenced preaching in June, 1884, 



HISTORY OP STTDBTTRY. 525 

and remained about three years. Rev. Warren Richardson, 
the present acting pastor, commenced his term of service in 
the fall of 1887. 

The following persons have served as deacons in the Con- 
gregational Church: Gardner Hunt, Thomas L. Dakin, 
Thomas P. Hurlbut, Emory Hunt, Benjamin H. Richardson, 
Francis F. Walker. The last two are in service at the pres- 
ent time. 

Aug. 10, 1874, the society voted to accept of one thousand 
dollars donated by Samuel Dana Hunt, for " the preaching 
of the Gospel essentially in its present doctrine or belief." 
If the church was ever removed to South Sudbury, or a new 
name given it, the gift was to remain. 

In 1881, the society voted to accept of a bequest by Miss 
Emily Thompson. A gift was also received of Mrs. Abigail 
Smith of Sudbury, and one hundred dollars of Miss Ruth 
Carter. 

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. 

Considerable change occurred in educational matters dur- 
ing this period. One important event was the establishment 
of Wadsworth Academy. 

WADSWORTH ACADEMY. 
In 1856, measures were taken to establish an academy at 
South Sudbury. A corporation was formed, the object of 
which was to hold property, consisting of a building, land, 
and suitable fixtures for educational and religious purposes. 
The design of the projectors of the enterprise was to erect a 
building, the upper part of which could be used for a school, 
and the lower part for social and religious services. There 
had been no hall at « Mill Villiage," as South Sudbury was 
then called, except one over the "old wheelwright's shop," 
where sometimes a meeting was held on Sabbath evenings, 
and occasionally a private school, was kept, where the tuition 
was ninepence a week. This hall was low and dilapidated, 
and reached by a flight of stairs on the outside, and wholly 
unfit for public use. Besides the need of a hall was the need 
of a higher school than was provided by the town. To meet 



526 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

these needs a corporation was formed, the capital stock of 
which was three thousand dollars. The parties who com- 
posed it, and the number of shares taken by each were as 
follows: Samuel D. Hunt, three shares; Dexter C. Jones, 
three; Gardner Hunt, one and one-half; Samuel Puffer, 
three; A. B. Richardson, three; Charles Hunt, three; 
Joseph Richardson, three ; Walter Rogers, six ; Samuel 
Rogers, three; Emory Hunt, three; George Parmenter, 
three ; Levi Goodenough, three ; Roland Cutler, six; Eliza- 
beth Hunt, one and one-half ; Nancy J. Moore, three ; J. D. 
and C. A. Cutter, three ; Abigail B. Brown, three ; Arthur 
Bowen, three. 

The first meeting was held March 11, 1857, and the fol- 
lowing officers were elected : President, Dr. Levi Good- 
enough ; Directors, Roland Cutler, Samuel Puffer; Treas- 
urer, Samual D. Hunt. The land was purchased of 
Nichols B. Hunt, and the building was erected by Arthur 
Bowen of South Sudbury. It was two stories high, had a 
colonade in front and faced the west. It was named in 
honor of Captain Wadsworth. Among the studies pursued 
in the school were the higher mathematics, the classics, 
French, drawing and painting. The tuition varied with the 
studies taken. The first teacher was Erastus N. Fay, 
formerly teacher of the Wayland High School, and graduate 
of Dartmouth College. Then followed Mr. James Russell, 
a graduate of Amherst College, Miss Lydia R. Draper 
(Mrs. A. S. Hudson), a graduate of New Hampton Sem- 
inary, Miss S. Jennie Holden (Mrs. E. P. Tenney), Miss 
Gibbs, Mr. Charles Rogers, a graduate of Middleton Uni- 
versity, Conn., Mr. Edwin Hunt, a graduate of Amherst 
College, and Miss Sarah Russell. After a time the school 
ceased to exist as an academy. It had done its work of 
affording advanced educational privileges to a class of young 
men and women, some of whom had entered higher institu- 
tions of learning, others had become school teachers, and 
others still had entered upon the practical duties of life in 
the household, or on the farm, or in some branch of business 
or trade. The need of an academy having been met, the 
demand for its continuance ceased, and the rooms were used 




THE WADSWORTH ACADEMY, 

South Sudbury, 

From an original sketch by A. S, Hudson 



history of sudbtjry. 527 

for one of the town's common schools. A few years later the 
building was destroyed by fire, and on its site was erected a 
Congregational chapel in 1880 ; but, though the old academy 
has passed away, there are some who trace their success and 
many of life's pleasant relations to their beginnings in that 
peaceful spot. 

Important changes took place during this period in con- 
nection with the common schools. Old districts were di- 
vided, and new ones were formed ; old school-houses were 
moved and new ones built. A large share of the territory of 
the north-west district was taken from Sudbury by the 
incorporation of Maynard ; but in the districts that remained 
the schools and school-houses increased. The centre school- 
house, that had stood on the common, was moved to its 
present location south of the Methodist meeting-house, and 
after its removal was fitted up for the use of two schools, — 
a primary and grammar. In 1868, the Lanham school-house 
was moved from the road corners by the Coolidge place to its 
present location, north of the Boston and Worcester highway, 
on land that once belonged to the Goodnow farm. In 1869, 
eight hundred dollars was granted for repairs on the south- 
west school-house. In 1870, the town voted to build a new 
school-house in the north-east district, to be located at or 
near the junction of Puffer Lane and the north road. The 
building was erected at a cost of $2884.82. The same year 
measures were taken for the removal of the old Pantry 
school-house, and the result was that a new school-house was 
built in the southerly portion of the north-east district, and 
the Pantry school-house was moved and became the depot of 
the Framingham & Lowell Railroad. The new school-house 
was located near the house of Alfred Thompson, and cost 
$3825.23. About the same time the town voted to build a 
school-house in the west part of the town in a locality where, 
hitherto, there had been none. It was erected on the Bos- 
ton and Berlin road, near the house of John Coughlin, at a 
cost of $2508.77. The building committee rendered their 
report to the town March 4, 1872, and at the same meeting 
the committee appointed to number the school districts 
reported that plates had been procured, lettered and num- 



528 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

bered at a cost of $7.50, and that commencing with the 
centre district, which they designated as number one, the 
committee next proceeded to the house in the south-west 
district, which they numbered two. Thence, passing to the 
right of the centre of the town, the remaining houses were 
numbered in their regular order, closing with the new house 
near the residence of John Coughlin, which was numbered 
six. The town opened a new school at South Sudbury, 
and March 1, 1875, ."voted to allow the proprietors of 
Wadsworth Hall $100 for rent of said hall for school 

purposes." 

In 1881, a school-house was built in the Wadsworth 
district by C. O. Parmenter, at a cost of $2560.61. It was 
placed on a lot containing a half acre of land, which was pur- 
chased of Walter Rogers, and situated on the south side of 
the Sudbury and Marlboro road, about midway between 
the Massachusetts Central and Old Colony Railroads. 



THE GOODNOW LIBRARY. 

In 1862, the town received the means of establishing a 
Public Library through the generosity of John Goodnow of 
Boston. The gift came in the form of a bequest, which was 
set forth in his will as follows : — 

" First: I give, devise, and bequeath unto my native 
Town of Sudbury, in the County of Middlesex, the sum of 
Twenty Thousand Dollars, to be appropriated for the pur- 
pose of purchasing and keeping in order a Public Library, 
for the benefit of the inhabitants of that Town." 

" Second : I also give, devise and bequeath to the said 
Town of Sudbury, three acres of land on the northerly part- 
of the Sudbury Tavern Estate, adjoining the land of Howe 
Brown, beginning at the Meeting-house road, and running 
with equal width with Brown's line to the brook, for the 
purpose of erecting thereon a suitable building for a Library ; 
and the further sum of Twenty-five Hundred Dollars for the 
erection of such building ; and whatever portion of said land 
shall not be needed for the purposes of said Library building, 
the said Town of Sudbury shall have full power and 



HISTOEY OF SUDBURY. 529 

authority to apply to any other Town purposes, but without 
any power of alienation." 

" At a legal meeting held at Sudbury, on the seventh day 
of April, 1862, the Town voted to accept the bequest con- 
tained in the first and second clauses of the last Will and 
Testament of John Goodnow, late of Boston ; and Messrs. 
James Moore, John H. Dakin, and George Parmenter, 
Selectmen of the Town, were appointed and authorized to 
receive and receipt for the said bequests." At the same 
meeting it was voted to adopt the following resolution: 
"Resolved by the Inhabitants of Sudbury, in Town meet- 
ing assembled, That we accept with thankfulness the noble 
bequests given to the town by the late John Goodnow of 
Boston ; and that, as an evidence of our gratitude, we pledge 
ourselves to endeavor to the utmost of our ability, Honestly 
and Honorably to carry out the benevolent intentions of the 
Donor." 

July 14, the town instructed the committee to erect a 
building for the library given by John Goodnow, according 
to plan reported to them, the sum not to exceed $2500. 
April 4, 1864, the committee reported the cost of the build- 
ing, including 132.43 for setting out shade trees, to be 
$2691.35. The building was enlarged several years ago 
by an addition on the west ; and at present there is little, 
if any, unoccupied space. Four catalogues have been is- 
sued ; the first, at the opening of the Library, when it con- 
tained less than 2300 volumes; the second in 1867; the 
third in 1874, when it contained nearly 5000 volumes; and 
the fourth in 1887, when it contained over 9700. The 
grounds about the Library are ample, and tastefully laid out, 
consisting of a level lawn adorned with shade trees. The 
building is reached by a circular driveway extending from 
the county highway. In the rear the land extends to Hop 
brook. 

John Goodnow, the donor of this library fund, was a son 
of John and Persis Goodnow, who lived at Lanham. He 
was born at Sudbury, Sept. 6, 1791, and died in Boston, 
Dec. 24, 1861. His remains were placed in his tomb at Sud- 
bury Centre, 



530 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF MAYNARD. 

In 1871, an area of about 1900 acres of land was set off 
from Sudbury, which, with about 1300 acres taken from 
Stow, formed the town of Maynard. The new town was 
incorporated April 19, 1871, and took its name from Amory 
Maynard, formerly of Marlboro. The town of Sudbury 
opposed the separation and, Jan. 23, 1871, appointed a com- 
mittee of three to nominate a committee of three to oppose 
any petition to the General Court to set off any part of the 
territory of Sudbury. Deacon Thomas Hurlbut, Charles 
Thompson, Esq., and James Moore, Esq., were nominated. 
The town accepted the nomination and authorized the com- 
mittee to use all honorable meaus to prevent the formation 
of a new town, including any part of the territory of the 
town of Sudbury. 

The committee chosen Jan. 23, 1871, to oppose the incor- 
poration of any portion of the territory of Sudbury into a 
new town, reported April 1, 1872, that previous to any hear- 
ing before the committee of the Legislature on the petition 
of Henry Fowler and others for an act incorporating the 
town of Maynard, certain propositions were made by the 
petitioners as terms of separation and settlement between 
the town of Sudbury and the proposed new town. These 
propositions having been laid before the town of Sudbury, 
Feb. 20, 1871, the committee were given discretionary 
power, provided they accept of no terms less advantageous 
to the town of Sudbury than those contained in the agree- 
ment. By mutual consent a bill was agreed upon and passed 
by the Legislature, by which the town of Maynard was 
incorporated. Subsequently the committee were authorized 
to settle with the authorities of the town of Maynard, 
according to the provisions of their charter. They reported 
that they had attended to that duty, also that the proportion 
of the town debt, together with the money to be paid by the 
town of Maynard to the town of Sudbury, or Maynafd's 
share of the stock in the Framingham & Lowell Railroad 
Corporation owned by the town of Sudbury, with interest on 
the same, amounted to 120,883.28 ; which sum was paid by 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 531 

them to the treasurer of the town of Sudbury, Oct. 6, 1871. 
They say they have also attended to establishing the line 
between the said towns, and erected a stone monument at 
the angle in said line near the iron-works causeway, which 
will also answer as a guide-board, and will be kept in repair 
by the town of Sudbury ; that they have also erected a stone 
monument marked S. and M., at such places as said line 
crosses the highway. 

May, 1871, it was " voted that the committee chosen by 
the town, January 23, consisting of Messrs. Thomas P. Hurl- 
but, Charles Thompson and James Moore, Esq., shall be a 
committee to act for and in behalf of the town of Sudbury 
with the authorities of the town of Maynard, in all matters 
pertaining to said town, according to the provisions of the 
charter incorporating said town of Maynard." 

RAILROADS. 

No railroad passed through the present limits of the town 
until about the beginning of the last period of the present 
century. A branch of the Fitchburg Road went through 
Assabet village, but, after that place became Maynard, it left 
Sudbury without a railroad. The only public conveyance 
for years was by the stage-coach which went from South 
Sudbury, and passed through the centre of Sudbury, Way- 
land and Weston, carrying for each of those places one mail 
daily. It started about seven o'clock, and arrived at the 
Stony Brook station of the Fitchburg Railroad in Weston 
about nine; and starting from there about five P.M. arrived 
at its destination about seven. It was an old-time stage 
drawn by four horses, with the driver on the " box," under 
which were kept the mails. The trunks were strapped 
on a rack behind. Prior to the starting of this coach, South 
Sudbury was accommodated by a stage that passed through 
the town to' Marlboro. About 1870, the Framingham & 
Lowell Railroad was begun, and in the fall of 1871, the cars 
began passing through the town. A station was built at 
North and South Sudbury and at the centre. The one at 
South Sudbury was built a little northerly of the junction of 



532 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the Sudbury and Marlboro and Framingham highways, and 
has since been moved. 

July 22, 1870, it was voted " That the Town Treasurer be 
authorized and instructed to subscribe for, take and hold 
Capital Stock in the Framingham and Lowell Railroad 
Company to the amount of Thirty thousand dollars. . . 
Provided said Railroad shall not be located in any place more 
than half a mile from the hist survey in the Town of 
Sudbury." 

The first station master at the South Sudbury depot was 
B. H. Richardson, who served in that capacity ten years. 
Since the railroad started, trains have regularly been over it, 
but the indirectness of the route to Boston, and the high 
passenger rates, made the road of little practical value to the 
town. The old coach continued to run its regular course, 
and more or less of the business to the eastward was done by 
this and private conveyance. The road has recently been 
leased to the " Old Colony " company, and is now known as 
the "Northern Branch of the Old Colony Road." In 1887, 
every station of this road within the limits of Sudbury was 
burned. Recently, new and more commodious ones have 
been built on or near the sites of the former ones. 

MASSACHUSETTS CENTRAL RAILROAD. 

In October, 1880, the first rails were laid at South Sudbury 
on the track of the Massachusetts Central Railroad, begin- 
ning at its junction with the Framingham & Lowell road. 
During the following winter the road was continued towards 
Hudson on the west and Boston on the east ; and July 22, 
1881, nine car loads of rails passed over the Central road, 
entering upon it at Waverly and going to Hudson. April 
20, 1881, a train of cars passed over the road from Boston to 
Hudson ; and October 1, the same year, regular trains began 
to run. May 16, 1883, the cars stopped running, and com- 
menced again Sept. 28, 1885, under the management of the 
Boston & Lowell Railroad. Recently the road was leased to 
the Boston & Maine Railroad corporation. The Junction 
Station is a fine one, and the town is now provided with 
excellent railroad facilities. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 533 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Iii 1854, the committee were instructed to finish the 
Wadsworth monument by building a road to said monument 
and fencing the land. They were also instructed to print 
the proceedings at the dedication of the monument. The 
same year the town appropriated thirteen hundred dollars to 
build a road and bridge at Assabet village. 

In 1855, it was voted to instruct the school committee to 
place the dictionaries presented by Mr. Plympton in the 
several schools, also that the school-houses be free for 
Lyceums and singing schools for the year. 

In 1857, it was voted " that the four libraries now in 
existence be so divided as to make five ; and that these be 
distributed among the five school districts." The same 
year it was voted " to allow the town of Way land to copy 
such of the records as they wished at the home of the clerk, 
or to employ any person in town to do the same." The 
same year it was voted to build a stone bridge at the canal 
bridge. The bridge was let out to Charles Haynes and 
Thomas E. Bent for five hundred dollars. 

February, 1859, the selectmen were instructed " to petition 
the Legislature to remove or cause to be removed the Mid- 
dlesex Canal Dam, erected across the Concord River at 
Billerica, or such part thereof as the Legislature shall deem 
expedient or just for reclaiming the meadow lands bordering 
upon Sudbury and Concord river." 

In 1859, it was voted to choose a committee to let out the 
raising of the Causeway from Sudbury to Way land, as 
ordered by the county commissioners. The same year it was 
voted " to establish the Town Poor house as a work house, 
as the law provides." 

In 1861, the selectmen were instructed to procure gravel 
pits in the several wards where they are needed. The same 
year the selectmen were instructed to build a suitable wall 
around the new burying ground wherever needed. 

Dec. 17, 1862, the town authorized " the selectmen to give 
a deed of a lot in the new cemetery to the executors of the 
will of the late John Goodnow of Boston for the purpose of 



534 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

building thereon a tomb." The same year the town voted 
to choose two agents to remonstrate against the petition of 
C. P. and T. Talbot for the repeal of an act in relation to a 
flowage of the Sudbury and Concord River meadows. 

In 18G4, the town granted the use of the Town Hall for a 
year to the " Comprehensive Temperance Society." 

In 1866, the town granted the use of the Town Hall for a 
year to the " Musical Union " and for " Musical Instruction." 

In 1867, a vote was passed to straighten the road over 
Meeting-house hill. 

March 11, 1867, the town voted that the management of 
the Goodnow Library should be entrusted to a Committee 
of three persons, one member to be chosen each year, for 
the term of three years. 

Nov. 3, 1868, it was " voted that the regulations of the 
New Burying ground should be so changed that one-third 
of said ground at the north end be reserved for free lots, 
instead of one-third part of the westerly end, and that per- 
sons taking said free lots shall have the same control of them 
as other persons have of lots taken in other parts of the 
yard." 

April 6, 1869, the town voted to instruct the selectmen to 
build a receiving tomb. March 7, 1870, the selectmen 
reported the work completed at a cost of $488.86 ; they also 
reported that they had procured a cooler for the use of the 
inhabitants in preparing bodies for burial at a cost of thirty- 
seven dollars. 

In 1871, the town granted fifty dollars to aid the Grand 
Army of the Republic on Decoration Day, the amount to be 
payable to the commander of the Post of the G. A. R., 
located in Assabet village. May, 1871, " The town, by a 
vote of fifty-seven yeas to thirty nays, voted to prohibit the 
sale of Ale, Porter, Strong Beer or Lager Beer, in said 
town." 

April 2, 1875, the town voted to send to the Centennial 
Celebration at Concord, of the 19th April, 1775, thirty-two 
of the oldest citizens as delegates, and provide a carriage for 
them at the town's expense, also to provide a fife and drum 
if necessary, also to provide a marshal. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

1850-1875. 

The Civil War. — Causes of it. — Warlike Activity at the North. — First 
War Meeting in Sudbury. — The " Wadsworth Rifle Guards." — Acts 
of the Town Relating to the War. — Soldiers' Aid Society. — Enlist- 
ments. — Sketch of the Thirteenth Regiment. — The Sixteenth.— 
The Eighteenth. — The Twentieth. — The Twenty-Sixth. — The 
Thirty-Fifth. — The Forty-Fifth. — The Fifty-Ninth. — Enlistments 
in other Regiments of Infantry. — Sketch of First Massachusetts 
Cavalry.— Enlistments in other Regiments of Cavalry. — Enlistments 
in the Artillery Service. — United States Sanitary Commission. — List 
of Conscripts. — Casualties.— Biographical Sketches of Men who 
Died in the Service. — Of Soldiers now Living in Sudbury. — Sum- 
mary of Service. — List of Citizens Subject to a Draft in 1863. — Bi- 
centennial of the Wadsworth Fight. — Laying out of Road to Railroad 
Station, South Sudbury. — The George Goodnow Bequest. 

The sturdy patriots went forth 

From city, village, hamlet, farm ; 
Unsparing was the sacrifice 
To shield our native land from harm. 

THE CIVIL WAR. 

The events of the Civil War are so familiar to many now 
living, that it may be thought unnecessary to give even an 
outline of its cause or nature. But there is a generation 
who were not living while that war was in progress. To 
these it is a matter of history only, and the tales of it come to 
them as the tradition of the wars that preceded it. A few 
words, then, of introduction may be important. The war 
began in 1861. For many years previous there had been a 
disagreement between the North and the South on the sub- 
ject of slavery. At the North there had been a growing 
sentiment that the system was wrong, and, as time passed on, 

535 



536 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

opinions grew more and more positive and outspoken. The 
South looked upon this growing sentiment with suspicion, 
and when the strength of it was made manifest by the 
election of Abraham Lincoln, and he had been inaugura- 
ted President of the United States, it broke out into open 
revolt. State after State passed the "Act of Secession," 
and measures were taken to defend their position by 
force of arms. On April 12, an attempt was made to cap- 
ture Fort Sumpter, Charleston Harbor, by bombardment; 
on the 18th it surrendered, after bravely sustaining an at- 
tack from the rebel batteries for thirty-three hours. This 
attempt to capture United States property aroused the 
North to a condition of intense activity. The news sped 
from city to town, and from the town to the most remote 
hamlet and farm. The North was resolved to save the 
Union at all hazards, and men came forward and offered 
themselves and their money for the safety of their country. 
April 15, 1861, President Lincoln called for seventy-five 
thousand soldiers to serve for three months. At this time 
military activity began, which did not cease for the space of 
four years. From 1861 to 1865, there was the establishment 
of camps, the occasional filling of quotas, and war meetings 
were held in the towns throughout the Northern States to 
raise money and men to carry on the war. These meetings 
were sometimes held at evening. It was no remarkable 
occurrence in those times to see the people at the close of a 
hard day's work on the farm, or in the busy workshop, wend- 
ing their way to the town-house to provide means to furnish 
their quota of troops, and to do or act as some emergency 
called for. Never was the free spirit of the Republic more 
manifest, nor its readiness to respond to what its institutions 
required, than in those stirring days. Sudbury was fully 
abreast of the average New England town in its promptness 
and zeal. The first war meeting was a citizens' mass meeting 
held in the Town Hall. The people did not wait for the 
slow call of a warrant, They assembled spontaneously to 
consult as to what was required of them, with full confidence 
that in a town meeting to be subsequently called their acts 
would be ratified and made legal. This meeting was charac- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 537 

terized by unanimity and enthusiasm. The spirit of the 
heroes of '75, when they were assembled on Sudbury 
Common, with arms in their hands as militia and minute 
men, to start on their march to Concord, was evinced on this 
April evening nearly a century later, when the citizens of 
Sudbury were again met to defend their homes and native 
land. 

The principal business of this meeting related to the 
fitting out of the " Wadsworth Rifle Guards." This was a 
company of State militia which belonged to Sudbury, and 
was attached to the Second Battalion of Rifles, and was 
commanded by Major Ephraim Moore of Sudbury until his 
death, which occurred some years previous. The following 
record of a legal town meeting held April 29, 1861, sets 
forth the business that was transacted at the mass meeting, 
and its ratification by the town. 

" The town voted to furnish new uniforms for the mem- 
bers of the Wadsworth Rifle Guards, Company B, Second 
Battalion of Rifles, M. V. M., forthwith, also to furnish each 
member of said company with a revolver, in case said com- 
pany is called into the service of the country, the revolvers 
to be returned to the selectmen of the town when the 
holders of them shall return home and be discharged from 
the service ; also the uniforms to be returned to the town if 
the members of the company are not held in service more 
than three months. Voted also to pay to each member of 
said company, in case they are called into service, a sum of 
money in addition to their pay received from the govern- 
ment, which shall make the whole amount of their pay 
twenty dollars per month while they are in such service, 
and that ten dollars of the above sum be paid to each mem- 
ber whenever he shall enter such service. Voted also that 
the families of those who may leave shall be furnished with 
all necessary assistance at the expense of the town, and the 
business of those who may leave it shall be properly cared 
for by the town and not allowed to suffer by their absence." 
" Voted, also, that each commissioned officer of the company 
belonging in town be presented with a suitable sword at the 
expense of the town, and that the other commissioned 



538 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

officers not belonging in town be furnished with the same, if 
they are not otherwise provided for." " Voted to grant the 
sum of one thousand dollars," for the purposes above men- 
tioned. 

The amount of money actually expended in fitting out this 
company was nine hundred and eighty-seven dollars. About 
the time of the holding of the first war meeting there were 
enlistments into the Sudbury company, with the expectation 
of soon being called into the service for three months, and 
the company for a time continued to drill. No call, however, 
came for this term of service. The emergency had been 
met, Washington for the time was safe, and it was at length 
discovered that the company as such would not be received 
into any existing regiment, for the term of three months. 
The next demand was for soldiers to serve for three years or 
the war, and the " Wadsworth Rifle Guards" were soon or- 
dered to Fort Independence that they might enlist in the 
Thirteenth Regiment for this length of time. Twenty-five 
of them enlisted, and July 30, the regiment left the State. 
This was the largest number of Sudbury men who enlisted 
at any one time, and they have the honor of being the first 
Sudbury soldiers who enlisted from the town. The history 
of the regiment will be given further on. 

From the time of the first enlistments there were repeated 
calls for troops. " Three hundred thousand more " became a 
familiar term, and at each new call the town took measures 
to fill its quota. July 4, 1862, the President issued a call 
for volunteers for three years, and July 28, the town " voted 
to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to 
each volunteer who has enlisted or may enlist into the ser- 
vice of the U. S. * * to the number of fourteen." Also, 
" Voted to instruct the selectmen to look after and provide 
for any sick or wounded volunteer belonging to the Town of 
Sudbury." In August of the same year, a call came for 
soldiers for nine months' service ; and Aug. 19, 1862, the 
town " voted to pay the sum of one hundred dollars to each 
person who voluntarily enlists into the service of the United 
States for the term of nine months, on or before the first day 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 539 

of September next, to a number not exceeding the quota of 
their town." 

Dec. 17, 1862, the town voted to fill up their quota by pay- 
ing one hundred and forty dollars bounty. December 22, the 
committee reported at a town meeting held in the evening, 
" that they had procured sixteen men to fill up the town's 
quota for the military service of the U. S., that said men had 
been accepted and sworn into the said service, and had been 
properly accredited to the town of Sudbury, and that said 
committee paid the sum of one hundred and thirty dollars 
for each man." 

Oct. 17, 1863, the President issued another call for three 
hundred thousand men, and December 7, the town " voted 
to authorize the selectmen to use all proper and legal meas- 
ures to fill up the town's quota of volunteers, agreeable to 
the call of the President of the United States for three hun- 
dred thousand volunteers, dated Oct. 17, 1863." 

March 14, 1864, the President issued a call for two hun- 
dred thousand men, and March 22 the town appointed a 
committee " to take all proper and legal measures to fill the 
quota of the town " under this call. June 9, the town voted 
to " raise money sufficient to pay one hundred and twenty- 
five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist into the ser- 
vice of the U. S., and be duly accredited as a part of the 
quota of the Town of Sudbury in anticipation of a call from 
the President to recruit the armies now in the field, and that 
the selectmen be required to use all proper measures to pro- 
cure said volunteers." It was voted also "that the select- 
men be authorized to procure not less than seventeen men." 
At the same meeting " the committee appointed by the town 
at a meeting held March 22, 1864, to take all proper and 
legal measures to fill the quota of the town under the call of 
the President of the U. S. for two hundred thousand men, 
dated March 14, 1864, reported that the town's quota was 
ten men ; that there had been seven men accredited to the 
town by volunteer enlistment at an expense of nine hundred 
and ten dollars, and that the remaining three were drafted 
and accepted." 



540 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Nov. 8, 1864, it was " voted to grant the free use of the 
Town Hall for the Soldiers' Aid Society." This was an or- 
ganization formed in the war period for the purpose of assist- 
ing the soldiers. May 20, 1865, it was " voted to refund all 
money contributed by individuals to fill the quotas of the 
town of Sudbury in the year 1864." 

ENLISTMENTS OF SOLDIERS. 

In meeting the requisitions made upon the town, enlist- 
ments were made at various times and in various regiments. 
Where there was a considerable number of enlistments in any 
one regiment, we will give not only the names of the soldiers, 
but a very brief sketch of the regiment in which they served. 

THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Twenty-three men enlisted in this regiment for three years, 
July 16, 1861, and two others a little later. 

Thomas C. Richardson, Band Leader, age 26, enlisted July 20, 1861 ; 
expiration of service, Aug. 31, 1862. 

James F. Fish, age 27, enlisted July 24, 1801 ; dropped, Sept. 1, 1802, de- 
tailed on gunboat service. 

William H. Green, age 20, expiration of service, Aug. 1, 1801. 

Mortimer Johnson, age 19, expiration of service, Feb. 1!), 1804, to re- 
enlist ; transferred, July 13, 1864, to Thirty-ninth Infantry. 

Corp. Aimer H. Gay, age 28, expiration of service, May 20, 1862, 
disability. 

Corp. Spencer Smith, age 20. expiration of service, Aug. 1, 1804. 

Corp. George L. Willis, age 18, expiration of service, Aug. 1, 1864. 

Henry S. Battles, age 24. 

Francis H. Brown, age VJ, expiration of service, Jan. 16, 1863, disability. 

George S. Dickey, age 35, died at Williamsport, Md., March 4, 1862. 

Samuel H. Garfield, age 18, expiration of service, Dec. 22, 1862, 
disability. 

Charles E. Haynes, age 24, expiration of service, Aug. 1, 1801. 

George W. Jones, age 22, expiration of service, Aug. 1, 1864. 

John H. Moore, age 21, expiration of service, Aug. 1, 1864. 

Proctor Pingree, wagoner, age 35, expiration of service, May 10, 1862, 
disability. 

Cyrus E. Barker, age 23, expiration of service, Jan. 30, 1863, disability. 

Edward Blake, age 33, expiration of service, Aug. 1, 1864. 

Lyman W. Brown, age 18, expiration of service April 15, 1863, disability. 

Albert Conant, age 22. 



HISTORY OE SUDBURY. 541 

Charles E. Duley, age 18, expiration of service, Dec. 15, 1862, disability. 
Dana F. Dutton, age 29, transferred, July 14, 1864, to Thirty-ninth 

Infantry. 
Leander A. Haynes, age 27, expiration of service, Aug. 1, 1864. 
Henry F. Moore, age 22, expiration of service, Aug. 1, 1864. 
George W. Woodbury, age 18, expiration of service, Feb. 11, 1863, 

disability. 
Eugene L. Fairbanks, age 21, expiration of service, Feb. 11, 1863, 

disability. 

George T. Smith at the age of twenty-two re-enlisted 
from Sudbury in this regiment, and was transferred to the 
Thirty-ninth Infantry, July 19, 1864. The Thirteenth Regi- 
ment was commanded by Col. Samuel H. Leonard of 
Boston, and saw hard fighting. It was in the battles of 
Antietam, Fredericksburg and the second Bull Run in 1862, 
and at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg in 1863. Jan. 1, 
1864, it was in camp at Mitchell's Station, Va., near the 
Rapidan River, on the extreme front of the army, where it 
had a camp of log huts, and did important service picketing 
the river. In the spring following it moved south, and 
from May 4 to June 6 it is stated that the regiment was 
under fire night and day. June 16, it marched to the James 
River, crossed in transports and moved towards Petersburg. 
July 15, the regiment left City Point, Va., for Washington, 
and arrived at Boston July 21, 1864. 

THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Five men were members of the Sixteenth Regiment, all of 
whom were mustered in July, 1861. Their names are: 
Gardner H. Darling, John Forsyth, Henry H. Parmenter, 
Horace Sanderson, Warren B. Witherell; John Forsyth 
and Horace Sanderson were killed ; Warren B. Witherell 
was wounded in the leg and discharged for disability July 
28, 1868 ; Gardner H. Darling was wounded and taken 
prisoner at the battle of Fair Oaks, and exchanged. He was 
mustered out July 27, 1864. Henry H. Parmenter was dis- 
charged at the expiration of his term of service, June 29, 1864. 

The Sixteenth was one of the earliest regiments of three 
years men that was organized in Massachusetts. It was 



542 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

commanded by Col. Powell T. Wyman of Boston. Before 
its close of service one of its lieutenant-colonels was Daniel 
S. Lamson of Weston. The regiment left the State Aug. 17, 
1861. It was in the battles of Fair Oaks, Glendale, Mal- 
vern Hill, Kettle Run, Chantilly and Fredericksburg in 1862, 
and at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Locust Grove in 
1863. It was engaged in the campaign under the leader- 
ship of General Grant, which resulted in the capture of 
Petersburg ; and during the year 1864, was engaged in some 
of its hardest fighting. In May it started southward, and for 
days it had marchings and fightings. Says one in writing 
the history of this regiment : " May 4th, at 11 A.M., crossed 
the Rapidan. At 3 P.M., encamped on the same grounds 
where one year previous we fought the battle of Chancellors- 
ville. * * The bones of our fallen companions, whitened 
by the frosts of winter, were scattered over the field and 
through the woods, about which were blooming in innocent 
beauty the violet and other spring flowers. 

"May 6th [battle of the Wilderness]. * * At 6 A.M. 
the entire line was advanced about one mile, the battle raging 
fiercely until 11 A.M., when the heavy reinforcements of 
the enemy were thrown in masses upon our lines. At this 
time the Sixteenth showed its real pluck, and held the 
ground until the entire line both to the right and left had 
fallen back. At 5 P.M. General Longstreet's corps made its 
famous charge upon our line. The advance line of battle 
fought the masses of the enemy until their ammunition was 
expended, when they were obliged to evacuate the works 
and seek shelter in our rear. While so doing the enemy 
occupied the advance line. In a moment, as if by magic, 
the Sixteenth leaped the works and charged the enemy, 
forcing him back, ami captured a large number of prisoners. 
* * The tlag of the Sixteenth first waved over them 
after the recapture. * * May 12. * * [The battle of 
Spottsylvania]. At 12 M., the Sixteenth was ordered 
along the crest of a hill where the enemy had regained a 
few rods of the works lost in the morning. * * Our 
object was that the enemy should capture no more of the 
works. * * The musketry fire was terrific. It was at 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 543 

this point a tree, some fourteen inches in diameter, was 
actually fallen — being cut down by bullets — it being be- 
tween the fire of the contending parties. Regiment after 
regiment was thrown into this deadly position, and were cut 
down before the terrific fire like grass. Indeed, the blood 
flowing from so many killed and wounded, mixing with the 
rain then falling, gave the running water the appearance of 
streams of blood. The men fired upwards of three hundred 
rounds of ammunition, after which they were relieved to 
clean their pieces. In this action our loss was heavy. The 
Regiment arrived in Massachusetts July 22, 1864, and was 
mustered out the 27th." 

THE EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Five men enlisted for three years in this regiment, 
namely : — 

Edwin S. Parmenter, age 20, mustered, Aug. 22, 1863, died, June 9, 1864. 
Leander Haynes, age 27, mustered, July 16, 1861, expiration of service, 

Aug. 1, 1864. 
Henry Moore, age 22, mustered, July 16, 1861, expiration of service, 

Aug. 1, 1864. 
Eugene L. Fairbanks, age 21, mustered, July 16, 1861, expiration of 

service, Feb. 11, 1863, disability. 
George W. Woodbury, age 18, mustered, July 16, 1861, expiration of 

service, Feb. 11, 1863, disability. 

The Eighteenth Regiment was commanded by James 
Barnes of Springfield. Eight of its companies were mus- 
tered into the United States service Aug. 27, 1861, and left 
the State the next day. The other two companies joined the 
regiment in the fall of the same year. The regiment was at 
the battle of Gaines' Mill, Second Bull Run, Shepardston 
and Fredericksburg in 1862, and at Chancellorsville, Gettys- 
burg, Rappahannock Station and Mine Creek in 1863. May 
1, 1863, it crossed the Rappahannock. Shortly after, it was 
under command of Col. Joseph Hayes and formed a part of 
the Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps, and until the 
20th of July, when it was ordered to Washington, because 
near the expiration of its term of service, it was repeatedly 



544 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



engaged with the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel White, in 
giving a report of the regiment from Dec. 3, 1863, to June 
19, says: "lam pleased to say that both the officers and 
men of my command, during the series of operations to this 
date, have behaved in a manner which has entirely satisfied 
me. All have acted so well, there is little reason to particu- 
larize." A battalion, made up of men whose term of service 
would not expire with the regiment, was detached, and 
remained a part of the Third Brigade ; it was engaged with 
the enemy about Petersburg, and at one time captured fifty 
prisoners and a battle-Hag belonging to the Twenty-seventh 
South Carolina Regiment. After the expiration of its term 
of service, the battalion was consolidated with the Thirty- 
second Massachusetts Regiment. 

THE TWENTIETH REGIMENT. 

Besides the foregoing enlistments, which were largely 
made up of Sudbury citizens, there is among the town 
papers the following list of men, who in December, 1862, 
were furnished by the town for the three years service. All, 
except the first, were in the Twentieth Massachusetts Regi- 
ment and mustered in December 19. 



AGE. 

23 Patrick Wilson, 

22 John Stewart, 

35 Thomas Faver, 

22 William Johnson, 

27 John McCluskey, 

22 David Henry, 

22 James Maloney, 

21 Joseph Powell, 

21 William J. Robinson, 

21 John White, 

22 John Wiley, 

26 Charles Rogers, 

•J.". John Morgan, 

•J'.l Janus Walsh, 

39 Henry Price, 

22 Charles Daniels, 



OCCUPATION. 

Laborer, 


REGIMENT. 

First, 


MUSTERED. 

Dec. 18, 1862. 


Carpenter, 


Twentieth, 




19, 


cc 


Barber, 


(i 




cc 


cc 


Cigar-maker, 


(i 




cc 


" 


Boatman, 
Seaman, 


cc 




cc 
cc 


It 
cc 


Cooper, 
Pressman, 


cc 

cc 




(C 

cc 


cc 

cc 


Steward, 
Seaman,' 


u 
cc 




CC 

cc 


cc 

cc 


Stone-cutter, 


(1 




cc 


cc 


Laborer, 


CC 




(( 


cc 


Seaman, 


(( 




cc 


cc 
cc 


<t 


11 




cc 


cc 


Harness-maker, 


l< 




cc 


cc 



The Twentieth Regiment was commanded by Col. Wil- 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 545 

liam Raymond Lee of Roxbury, and left Massachusetts Sept. 
4, 1861. It was in the battle of Balls Bluff in 1861, and 
in the battles before Richmond, Antietam and Fredericks- 
burg in 1862, and at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Bris- 
tow's Station and Mine Run in 1863. May" 3, 1864, the 
regiment left winter quarters, crossed the Rapidan, and on 
the 5th marched to the Wilderness and there engaged the 
enemy. It fought bravely and suffered severely. In one 
engagement of three hours it had one major killed, a colonel, 
three captains and two lieutenants wounded. In its march 
southward from the Wilderness to the front of Petersburg, 
it had hard fighting and lost many men. 

THE TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. 

Sixteen men were enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Regiment, 
namely : — 

Elias E. Haynes, 2nd Lieut., age 28, mustered, Nov. 12, 1862, expiration 

of service, April 21, 1865, resigned. 
John M. Haynes, Corp., age 18, mustered, Sept. 20, 1861, Dec. 31, 1863, 

re-enlisted. 
John M. Haynes, Sergt., age 20, mustered, Jan. 1, 1864, expiration of 

service, Aug. 26, 1865. 
Albert L. Weeks, Sergt., age 22, mustered, Jan. 1, 1864, expiration of 

service, Aug. 26, 1865. 
William Barr, age 37, mustered, Jan. 1, 1864, expiration of service, 

Aug. 26, 1865. 
James Dooner, age 20, mustered, Jan.' 1, 1864, expiration of service, 

Aug. 26, 1865. 
James W. Fisk, age 28, mustered, Jan. 1, 1864, expiration of service, 

Aug. 26, 1865. 
William T. Sawyer, age 19, mustered, Sept. 6, 1861, expiration of service, 

Nov. 21, 1865. 
Silas Willis, age 22, mustered, Sept. 4, 1861. expiration of service, Nov. 

22, 1862, to enlist in United States Army. 
Michael Dooner, Oct. 18, 1861, expiration of service, Aug. 26, 1865. 
George Flood, mustered, Oct. 18, 1861, expiration of service, Aug. 26 

1865. 
John A. Haynes, mustered, Oct., 1861, expiration of service, Aug. 26 

1865. 
James Hefferman, mustered, Oct. 18, 1861, expiration of service, Aug. 

20, 1SG5. 
John Kelly, mustered, Oct. 18, 1861, expiration of service, Aug. 26, 1865. 



546 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

John O'Donnell, mustered, Oct. 18, 1861, expiration of service, Aug. 26, 

1865. 

Marcus M. Puffer, mustered, Oct. IS, 18(31, expiration of service, Aug. 

26, 1865. 

This regiment left the State Nov. 21, 1861. It was 
commanded by Col. Edward F. Jones of Pepperell, and was 
an offshoot of his old regiment, the Massachusetts Sixth, 
which was attacked when passing through Baltimore, April 
19, 1861. The regiment previous to January, 1864, was for 
a time in Louisiania. July, 1864, it went to Bermuda Hun- 
dred, Va., and was for a time in the army of the Shenan- 
doah with General Sheridan. It was in the battle of Cedar 
Creek and lost several men. 

THE THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT. 

Eight men were mustered into the Thirty-fifth Regiment, 
Aug. 16, 1862, for the term of three years, namely : — 

Sergt. Rufus H. Hurlbut, age 20, expiration of service, June 9, 1805. 
Corp. William F. Bowcn, age 20, expiration of service, June 9, 1865. 
Corp. George F. Moore, age 20, expiration of service, June 9, 1865. 
William B. Bailey, age 25, expiration of service, June 9, 1865. 
Francis Garfield, age 32, transferred, March 15, 1864, to V. R. C. 
George H. Hall, age 22, expiration of service, June 9, 1865. 
Albert H. Moore, age 20, expiration of service, June 9, 1805. 
Eli 11. Willis, age 21, expiration of service, June 9, 1805: 

This regiment was recruited in July, 1862, and left the 
State the 22d of August under command of Col. Edward A. 
Wilde of Brookline. September 6, it started from Arlington 
Heights for Maryland, and began active service while the 
soldiers were yet but an undisciplined collection of enlisted 
citizens, or raw recruits having had but one battalion drill. Its 
first battle was at South Mountain, in which Colonel Wilde 
lost an arm, which obliged him to leave the regiment, and 
Lieut.-Col. Sumner Carruth of Chelsea was promoted colonel. 
The regiment was in the battles of Antietam ami Fredericks- 
burg in 1862. After this, the regiment was assigned to 
General Burnside's corps, and sent into Kentucky to hunt 
o-uerillas, where it continued until June 1, 1863, when it was 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 547 

sent to Washington to reinforce General Grant. After the 
surrender of Vickburg, July 4, 1863, it was sent to Jackson, 
Miss., in pursuit of General Johnston, where it had several 
days' fighting, which resulted in the retreat of Johnston. 
The Thirty-fifth was the first regiment to enter the city, and 
it secured the rebel flag from the State House. The cam- 
paign was a severe one because of the extreme heat and 
scarcity of water. The regiment then returned to Kentucky, 
and Sept. 30, 1863, started for Knoxville, Tenn., and re- 
mained there during the siege of that place. While at 
Knoxville the regiment endured severe hardship and depri- 
vation. The rations were short and the clothing scant. At 
times during the winter, when the ground was covered with 
snow, some of the Sudbury soldiers had no shoes. One of 
them cut off the tail of his coat and sewed it on his feet. 
Some of them sewed on pieces of green hide with the hair 
left on the inside. Throughout the winter the soldiers were 
on half rations ; and during the siege, which lasted nineteen 
days, they were allowed some days only one pint of unbolted 
corn-meal ; one day they had only one ear of corn apiece, 
and other days they had nothing. During this time they 
were on picket duty more than half the time, and were 
obliged to be awake every alternate twenty-four hours, and 
sometimes forty-eight hours at a time. This occurred after 
the retreat from and battle with General Longstreet, which 
kept them fighting and marching without rest for three nights 
and two days. 

In the spring of 1864, the regiment was sent back to the 
Army of the Potomac, and was engaged in the battles of the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and all the hard 
fighting to the James River. It remained in front of Peters- 
burg till the close of the war. 

THE FORTY-FIFTH REGIMENT. 

Thirteen men were mustered into the Forty-fifth Regi- 
ment, Sept. 26, 1862, for the term of nine months, namely : — 

Marshall L. Eaton, 1st Sergt, age 30, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 
Homer Rogers, Sergt., age 22, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 



548 HISTOBY OF SUDBURY. 

Arthur Dakin, Corp., age 22, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 
Bradley Hemenway, Corp., age 20, expiration of service, July 7, 18G3. 
Frank H. Hunt, Musician, age 18, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 
Albert B. Richardson, Musician, age 19, expiration of service, July 7, ls<;.'!. 
Asa B. Bacon, age 41, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 
James B. Butlerfield, age 22, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 
John H. Eaton, age 24, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 
Theodoric A. Jones, age 18, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 
Alpheus Puffer, age 22, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 
William Scott, age 19, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 
Charles C. Spaulding, age 24, expiration of service, July 7, 1863. 

This regiment was organized in the summer of 1862, and 
the companies composing it came from different towns. It 
left the State, Nov. 5, 1862, and July 21, 1863, it returned 
to Boston and was recruited. The regiment took part in 
the battle of Kingston, N. C, Dec. 14, 1862, and in the 
battle of Goldsboro. It was also engaged in the movements 
about Newbern. Its losses in battle were twenty killed and 
seventy-one wounded, exceeding that of all the other nine 
months regiments taken together. The loss from sickness 
and disease was also very heavy. The march to Goldsboro, 
under a sultry sun, is spoken of as a long and weary one to 
men unaccustomed to such hardships, but they stood it like 
true soldiers, and held on their way till it was ended. One 
of the younger ones in his company was Theodoric Jones ; 
though his feet were badly blistered by his coarse army 
shoes he never flinched nor lagged behind ; and when, for 
once having climbed a fence by the roadside for a momentary 
rest, he heard it intimated that he was giving out, he in- 
stantly sprang to the ground, and with some vigorous 
remarks resumed his journey with apparent ease. When lie 
arrived in camp his shoes were a curiosity, — it is said they 
were so completely run down that the heels were nearly 
bottom side up, and the owner's feet were in such a condi- 
tion that, for a number of days, he was entirely disabled. 

( )f the Sudbury men in this regiment, perhaps William 
Scott did as much as any towards breaking up the monoton} r 
of the weary march and the tedious camp life. " Billy," as 
the bo} r s called him, was short and stout, a good soldier and 
full of fun. Sometimes he would act as barber, and get his 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 549 

pay in the sport he made of his patrons. On the march of 
the regiment from Goldsboro to Newbern, Billy captured 
a small mule about the size of a heifer ; and, having loaded 
the beast with such articles as had been picked up by the 
way and his gun and accoutrements, he mounted it and the 
journey was resumed towards camp. A lieutenant, having 
his attention called to the animal, required him to give it 
up, but Billy clung to the bridle without saying a word ; the 
officer threatened, but Billy rode on, and when at length he 
arrived at Newbern he presented a comical spectacle. He 
had, besides the blankets, muskets, haversacks, etc., two 
geese, some hens, and a large number of canteens, so that 
the little mule was well nigh covered. Billy was smiling, 
as usual, and the boys smiled too. The mule was unloaded 
and given up, and Billy, so far as known, received no repri- 
mand but what he had at the start. 

THE FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT. 

The following men enlisted in the Fifty-ninth for three 

years : — 

Cyrus E. Barker, age 25, mustered, Jan. 14, 1864, died April 9, 1865. 
Curtis Smith, age 21, mustered, Jan. 14, 1864, died Oct. 19, 1864. 
Benjamin Ryde, age 35, mustered, Feb. 9, 1864, transferred, June 1, 1S65, 

to Fifty-seventh Infantry. 
Alfred Moore, age 21, mustered, April 2, 1864, transferred June 7, 1865, 

to V. R. C. 

This regiment was raised and commanded by Jacob P. 
Gould of Stoneham, who was formerly Major of the Thir- 
teenth. It left the State for Washington, April 26, 1864. 
Ten days after, it was engaged in its first fight; and in 1864 
it took part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, 
North Anna, Coal Harbor, the battles before Petersburg, and 
the battle of Weldon Railroad. 

With the exception of the instances now mentioned, the 
soldiers who went from Sudbury, for the most part, enlisted 
in different regiments, and their names are scattered along 
in the various rolls of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, 
and bear date from the first to the last year of the war. The 



550 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

following are the names of these soldiers as given in the 
State Adjutant General's Report or the Sudbury Soldiers' 
Record Book, from which we have also taken the foregoing 

lists. 

ENLISTMENTS IN OTHER REGIMENTS OE INFANTRY. 

NINE MONTHS MEN IN THE SIXTH REGIMENT. 

Samuel G. Brown, Corp., age 27, mustered, Aug. 31, 18G2, expiration of 

service, June 3, 1863. 
Solomon Davis, age 36, mustered, Aug. 31, 1862, expiration of service, 

June 3, 1863. 
Francis Button, age 26, mustered, Aug. 31, 1862, expiration of service, 

June 3, ISC,:?. 
Augustus Newton, mustered, Aug. 31, 1862, expiration of service, June 

3, 1863. 
Matthew Smith, age 19, mustered, Aug. 31, 1862, expiration of service, 

June 3, 1863. 

ONE HUNDRED DAYS MEN IN THE SIXTH REGIMENT. 

Rockwood Puffer, age IS, mustered, Aug 18, 1864, expiration of service, 
Oct. 27, 1864. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

Walter Lee, age 38, mustered, March 28, 1864, transferred, June 10, 1S64, 

to Thirty-second Infantry, expiration of service, June 29, 1864. 
Michael Muller, age 29, mustered, Aug. 21, 1863. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE NINETEENTH REGIMENT. 

Cornelius Buckley, age 38, mustered, March 26, 1864, expiration of 

service, June 30, 1865. 
Thomas Smith, age 28, mustered, March 26, 1864, died, Jan. 26, 1865. 
Josiah Garfield, mustered, July 26, 1861, expiration of service, June 30, 

L865. 

MEN IN THE TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. 

Michael Malone, age 32, mustered, March 26, 1864. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. 

Michael Fitzgerald, Corp., age 22, mustered, Jan. 20, 186."), expiration of 
service, June 30, 1865. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE THIRTIETH REGIMENT. 

Stillman Willis, mustered, Jan. t, 1862, expiration of service, . 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 

John Herschel Moore, mustered, July 2, 1862, discharged for disability. 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 551 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 

John Rothe, mustered, Oct. 5, 1861, expiration of service, Oct. 20, 1864. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 

John Roth, age 40, mustered, Aug. 5, 1862, expiration of service, Jan. 

11, 1865. 
Robert Arnold, mustered, Aug. 13, 1862, regiment mustered out, . 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. 

Marcus T. Baker, age 21, mustered, Jan. 21, 1865, transferred, June 22, 

1865, to Twenty-sixth Infantry. 
George A. Jones, age 18, August 21, 1862, expiration of service, June 

30, 1865. 

MEN IN THE THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT. 

James M. Sawyer, age 19, mustered, Aug. 18, 1862, expiration of service, 
July 18, 1865. 

NINE MONTHS MEN IN THE FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Silas H. Blake, age 38, mustered, November, 1862, expiration of service, 
Sept. 1, 1863. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE FIFTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. 

William F. Coombs, age 37, mustered, Feb. 25, 1864, expiration of 
service, Aug. 1, 1865, order War Department. 

MEN IN THE SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT. 

Edward A. Farnsworth, age 24, mustered, Jan. 10, 1865, expiration of 

service, July 16, 1865. 
Peter McDougal, age 38, mastered, Jan. 16, 1865, expiration of service, 

May 27, 1865, order War Department. 

SUDBURY SOLDIERS IN THE CAVALRY SERVICE. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE FIRST CAVALRY. 

Averill F. Willis, mustered, September, 1861, expiration of service, June 

26, 1865. 
George F. Butterfield, mustered, September, 1861, expiration of service, 

June 26, 1865. 

This regiment was commanded by Col. Robert Williams 
of Virginia, and left the State by battalions ; the First on 
the 25th, the Second on the 27th, and the Third on the 29th 
of December, 18(31. It was stationed in the Department of 
the South until August 19, 1862, when eight of its compa- 
nies joined the Army of the Potomac. The two men from 
Sudbury served in Company L, Capt. William Gibbs of 



552 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Waltham. It is stated that, while in South Carolina, "they 
suffered from hanger, storm, wind and heat, and were at the 
terrible battles of James Island, Fort Wagner, and Morris 
Island." After leaving South Carolina, they were in Vir- 
ginia with the Tenth Army Corps, commanded by Major- 
General Gilmore, and served in front of Petersburg until its 
surrender. In 1864, a part of the battalion of cavalry, 
known as the Independent Battalion Massachusetts Cavalry, 
that served in the Department of the South and was formerly 
of the First Massachusetts Cavalry, constituted, with the 
First Battalion Veteran Cavalry, the Fourth Massachusetts 
Cavalry. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE SECOND REGIMENT CAVALRY. 

Hartson D. Sinclair, age 21, mustered, Feb. 14, 1865, died, May 26, 1865. 

John F. Casey, age 19, mustered, Aug. 9, 1864, expiration of service, 
June 17, 1865. 

Richard H. Graham, age 19, mustered, Aug. 9, 1864, expiration of ser- 
vice, June 17, 1865. 

John O'Brien, age 20, mustered, Aug. 9, 1864, expiration of service, June 
17, 1865. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE FOURTH REGIMENT CAVALRY. 

John Lee, 2nd Lieut., mustered, July 13, 1865, expiration of service, 

Nov. 14, 1865. 
George F. Butterfield, Corp., age 20, mustered, Sept. 23, 1661, expiration 

of service, Sept. 24, 1864. 
Frank F. Willis, Bugler, age 19, mustered, Sept. 23, 1861, expiration of 

service, Sept, 24, 1861. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE FIFTH REGIMENT CAVALRY. 

Daniel Robinson, age 21, mustered, Aug 25, 1864, expiration of service, 

May 23, 1865. 
Lyman Taylor, age 21, mustered, Aug. 25, 1864, expiration oF service, 

May 23, 1865. ' 

SUDBURY SOLDIERS IN THE ARTILLERY SERVICE. 
THREE YEARS MEN IN SEVENTH BATTERY OF LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

John P. Hudson, age 23, mustered, May 21, 1862, died, March 7, 1864. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN FIRST REGIMENT, HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

Edward R. Cutler, Asst. Surg., age 22, mustered, Sept. 25, 1863, Surg. 
Dec. 19, 1864. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 553 

THREE YEARS MEN IN THE FIRST BATTALION, HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

George A. Dean, age 18, mustered, Feb. 11, I860, expiration of service, 
Oct. 20, 1865. 

THREE YEARS MEN IN SECOND REGIMENT, HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

Thomas Corcoran, age 21, mustered, Aug. 18, 1864, died, April 11, 1865. 

ONE YEAR MEN IN THE FOURTH REGIMENT, HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

Sidney Smith, age 21, mustered, Aug. 12, 1864, expiration of service, 
June 17, 1865. 

Alexander Black, age 42, mustered, Aug. 25, 1864, expiration of service, 
June 17, 1865. 

Joseph Clear, age 19, mustered, Aug. 23, 1864, expiration of service, June 
17, 1865. 

Jonathan G. Leavett, age 34, mustered, Aug. 25, 1864, expiration of ser- 
vice, June 17, 1865. 

James F. Rundell, age 19, mustered, Aug. 17, 1864, expiration of service, 
June 17, 1865. 

Charles R. Taylor, age 22, mustered, Aug. 23, 1864, expiration of ser- 
vice, June 17, 1865. 

ONE YEAR MEN IN THE TWENTY-NINTH UNAT. CO., HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

Cornelius Fitzpatrick, age 23, mustered, Sept. 1, 1864, expiration of 
service, June 16, 1865. 

Matthew Heaphey, age 21, mustered, Aug. 25, 1864, expiration of ser- 
vice, June 16, 1865. 

Michael Shea, age 21, mustered, Sept. 1, 1864, expiration of service, 
June 16, 1865. 

UNITED STATES SANITARY COMMISSION. 

Two Sudbury men, Edwin Hunt and Alfred S. Hudson, 
were with the army in the service of the Sanitary Commis- 
sion. The first remained until obliged to return on account 
of ill health ; the other entered the service July, 1864, and 
was stationed at City Point, Va., at the junction of the 
Appomatox and James Rivers, near Petersburg, at the time 
of the siege. 

Notwithstanding the promptness of the town in taking 
means to fill its quotas by voluntary enlistments at home, 
and by offering bounties for enlistments from abroad, before 
the war closed it was subjected to a draft. July 17, 1863, 
the names of the town's citizens included in the First Class 
List were deposited at Concord, and the following names 
were drawn therefrom. 



554 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



LIST OF CONSCRIPTS 

M. W. Evans, 
Albert T. Parmenter, 
William Gormin, 
Francis H. Moore, 
Francis H. Brown, 
Michael Newell, 
Jonas Goodnow, 
Samuel Bent, 
T. M. Brenn, 
George H. Murphy, 
E. S. Butterfield, 
Luther S. Cutting, 
E. R. Chase, 
Dana W. Hayden, 
William E. Eager, 



IN THE TOWN OF SUDBURY, DRAWN AT CONCORD, 

JULY 17, 1863. 

exempt. William L. Stone, 
substituted. Frank Webster 

paid. G. H Murphy, 

exempt. Edwin Rogers, 

« Hubbard H. Brown, 

« Joel F. Parmenter, 

" Luther G. Hunt, 
Winsor Pratt, 

« Lorenzo Parmenter, 

enlisted, Joseph B. Adams, 

exempt. C. W. Floyd, 

paid. Henry H. Cheney, 

" James J. Purler, 

exempt. N. C. Haynes, 

« Francis F. Walker, 



exempt. 



paid. 

u 

substituted, 
exempt. 



paid, 
exempt. 



In the foregoing lists are the names of some of Sudbury's 
most valuable citizens. Voluntarily they came forward, and 
offered themselves at their country's call. Young men left 
the farm, the store, and the work-shop, and in the best of 
their years and their strength engaged in the work of war. 
The death rate among them, according to the records, is very 
small. Yet the history of the regiments in which most of 
these soldiers served shows that they sometimes occupied 
positions of extreme peril. Some, who passed through the 
severest engagements, escaped unharmed; while others were 
wounded repeatedly, and recovered and again entered the 
ranks. Some of the strongest were the first to succumb to 
the power of disease ; while others, slender of stature and 
unaccustomed to out-door toil, came back at the end of their 
term of service robust and strong. Such are the fortunes 
of war. 

LIST OF CASUALTIES. 
The fatal casualties that occurred to persons who were 
accredited to or natives of Sudbury, as we have found them 
recorded in the Town Book or the Adjutant Generals 
Printed Report, are as follows : — 

KILLED OR MORTALLY WOUNDED IN BATTLE. 

Horace Sanderson. John Forsyth. Edwin S. Parmenter. 




THE WADSWORTH MONUMENT 
South Sudbury. See page 555. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 555 

DIED IN THE SERVICE OF DISEASE OR HARDSHIP INCIDENT TO 
ARMY LIFE. 

John P. Hudson. Thomas Corcoran. 

Curtis Smith. Hartson D. Sinclair. 

George T. Dickey. Thomas Smith. 

Abel H. Dakin. Cyrus E. Barker. 

The following is a sketch of the above-named soldiers so 
far as we have information concerning them. 

HORACE SANDERSON. 

Horace Sanderson, born at Waltham in 1837, was a mem- 
ber of Company K, Sixteenth Regiment, M. V. M. He 
enlisted for three years and was mustered in July, 1861. 
He was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 

JOHN FORSYTH. 
John Forsyth, son of John and Hannah Forsyth, was born 
in Waltham, Feb. 12, 1835. He enlisted at Newton in 
Company H, Sixteenth Regiment, for three years, and held 
the position of sergeant. He was mustered into the service 
in July, 1861. By trade he was a carpenter, and his former 
home was in the east part of the town. He was killed at 
the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 

EDWIN S. PARMENTER. 

Edwin S. Parmenter, son of Charles and Fanny Parmenter, 
was born in Sudbury, August 19, 1844. He was by occu- 
pation a farmer, and lived at his father's home in the north- 
easterly part of the town. When the draft came, July 17, 
1863, his brother, Albert T., was among the Sudbury con- 
scripts, and Edwin went as his substitute ; making the 
second son in the family to go in the defence of his country. 
He belonged to Company H, Eighteenth Massachusetts 
Regiment, and was mustered in August 22, 1863. He was 
mortally wounded at the battle of Bottom Bridge, Va., and 
died, June 8, 1864. 

JOHN P. HUDSON. 
John Plympton Hudson was mustered into the United 
States service, May 21, 1862, and was a member of the 



556 HISTORY OF SUDBTJRY. 

Seventh Massachusetts Light Battery. He was with it in 
its first engagement, which was with the artillery of Gen. 
Roger Pryor, at the "Deserted House," near Suffolk, Va. 
This action was noted for the effective work of the battery. 
Said the "New York Tribune," in the news of Feb. 3, 1863, 
"The Seventh Battery achieved great honor in sustaining 
a furious cannonading and in more than matching it [Pryor's 
Battery] in this its first engagement." In describing the 
action, it states, "Follett's Battery [that is the Seventh 
Massachusetts] was then wheeled into position, and at twenty 
minutes to four o'clock, the action commenced in earnest, 
Then ensued an exhibition of artillery practice, such as has 
rarely been seen in this war. For three hours and eleven 
minutes this artillery duel continued, and the service of the 
guns on both sides, it is said, was not surpassable. During 
this time the enemy was slowly giving way before the su- 
periority of our cannonading. Their pieces were all ^ si- 
lenced by seven o'clock, and they had been driven two miles 
from the Deserted House." In his own description of the 
action in a letter to his brother, dated Suffolk, Va., Jan. 31, 
1863, Mr. Hudson said, "I was in a battle yesterday and a 
desperate one too, but I am safe and uninjured. ... I was 
in the hottest of the fight, all of it, and got a hole torn in 
my overcoat by a shell. It was a regular artillery duel for 
three hours. Our company had two men killed and ten 
wounded." In another, description of the battle, he states 
that the ground was plowed with the shot and shell, and 
that the trees above the battery looked as if seared by the 
frost or by a fire. In one instance his clothing was sprinkled 
with the earth that was thrown up by the shot. During the 
same year the battery was engaged at South Quay, Som- 
erton, Providence Church Road and Holland's House. It 
was afterwards ordered to New York to prevent a riot in the 
enforcement of a draft. While there, Mr. Hudson became 
unfitted for duty through disease, contracted while in the 
service in Virginia, and entered the hospital. After rejoin- 
ing the battery, while yet in an enfeebled condition, he 
obtained a furlough to go North. He arrived at Sudbury in 
November, 1863, where his illness increased until his death, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 557 

which occurred at the Luther Goodnow house, near the old 
Haynes Garrison, March 7, 1864. John P. Hudson was born 
at Wayland, " Wayland and Weston Corner," Oct. 5, 1838. 
He was the son of Martin Newton and Maria (Reed) Hudson, 
and early went with his parents to Sudbury, where the most 
of his life was spent. He was held in high esteem by his asso- 
ciates, and had the confidence of the community in every 
position that he occupied from his early youth to the time 
of his going forth a young man in his country's service. As 
a soldier, he was true to ever}' trust, and faithfully stood at 
his post until health gave way in camp life about the swamps 
of Suffolk, Va. In a letter sent by a comrade in the battery, 
Dr. William H. Ruddick of South Boston, it was said, " He 
had not an enemy in the company, always did his duty 
faithfully like a good soldier, his conduct and bearing was 
an example for the rest to follow, he was loved by all." He 
died at the age of twenty-five, and was buried at Wadsworth 
Cemetery in the family lot. His grave is marked by a 
marble stone, which is inscribed as follows : — 

volunteer's grave. 
JOHN P. H UDSON 

A MEMBER OF 

THE 7TH MASS. LIGHT BATTERY 

DIED 

In the U. S. Service March 7th 1864 
Aged 25. 

" How sleep the brave, who sink to rest, 
With all their country's wishes blest. 

By fairy hands their knell is rung; 
By forms unseen their dirge is sung; 
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, 
To bless the turf that wraps their clay ; 
And Freedom shall awhile repair, 
To dwell a weeping hermit there." 

CURTIS SMITH. 

Curtis Smith, son of Joseph and Olive (Moore) Smith, 
was born at Sudbury, Dec. 22, 1842. He enlisted, January, 
1864, for three years in the Fifty-ninth Regiment, and was 



558 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

a member of Company E. He was a farmer, and the second 
son of the family to enter the service of his country. May 6, 
ten days after leaving the State, his regiment was engaged 
in its first fight, and between that time and the middle of 
June it was in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, 
North Anna and Cold Harbor. Between June 3 and 17, by 
which time the regiment was before Petersburg, fifteen of its 
men had been taken prisoners, among whom was Mr. Smith. 
He was taken to Andersonville June 10, and died there 
October 19. The town of Sudbury had one son offered as 
a sacrifice to her country in that terrible prison pen. The 
story is sufficiently told by the Town Record Book, which 
says, " Died, Oct. 19, 1864, of starvation in prison at Ander- 
sonville, Ga." 

GEORGE T. DICKEY. 

George T. Dickey was a son of Ira S. and Eliza Dickey. 
He was born in Weston, and afterwards lived in the west- 
erly part of Wayland, but the proximity of his house to Sud- 
bury and his family connection with it allied him socially to 
that town. He was by occupation a farmer, and, perhaps, 
few soldiers were better equipped physically for the endurance 
of army life than he ; and his cheerful disposition was well 
suited to brighten the rough experience of the camp and the 
march ; but, like some others who were exceptionally robust, 
he was stricken down by the hand of disease, and after but 
about a half year's service as a soldier, he died in the hospi- 
tal at Williamsport, Md., March 4, 1862. 

ABEL H. DAKIN. 

Abel Henry Dakin enlisted from Natick in Company I, 
Thirty-ninth Regiment, M. V. M. He entered the army as 
a drummer, but afterwards held the position of bugler. He 
died of consumption near Kelly's Ford, Va., Dec. 20, 1863. 
In the Wadsworth Cemetery is a stone bearing the following 

inscription : — 

ABEL H. DAKIN, 

Member of Co. I, 39th Reg't Mass. Vols. 

Aet. 31 Years. 

" Rest, Soldier, Rest." 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 559 

Mr. Dakin was a son of Abel and Emeline (Stone) Dakin, 
and was born at Sudbury, Dec. 28, 1832. His life was 
mostly spent in his native town at the home of his uncle, 
John H. Dakin, at the present Carpenter place. He was a 
young man of excellent character, and, while in his country's 
service, he faithfully performed his part. One of his com- 
pany, in a letter to his sister, Mrs. Mary S. Brown, after his 
death, stated, that "he did his duty cheerfully, was never 
heard to complain," and that " they could feel that he was 
a true and faithful soldier." At the time of his enlistment 
he resided in Natick. He was married April 17, 1858, and 
has left one daughter, Garrie O. Dakin. He gave his life 
for his country, and was one of the great army of martyrs 
that marched to the South to be offered as a sacrifice in the 
sacred cause of freedom. 

Thomas Corcoran, died, April 11, 1865, at Kingston, N. C. 
Hartson D. Sinclair, died, May 26, 1865, at Cumberland, Md. 
Thomas Smith, died, Jan. 26, 1865. 
Cyrus E. Barker, died at Annapolis, Md. 

" On Fame's eternal camping ground 
Their silent tents are spread ; 
While glory guards with solemn round 
The bivouac of the dead." 

SKETCHES OF RESIDENT SOLDIERS. 

We will now give a sketch of the Sudbury soldiers who are 
living in town, so far as our information of them extends. 
The task will be an easy one, for time has made more havoc 
than the bayonets or bullets of the foe. The ranks of the 
veterans have been thinned, year by year, through death and 
removal. Fewer and fewer have become the survivors, till 
but about a half score are left to decorate the graves of 
their comrades as the spring-time returns ; and when a few 
more years have passed the last veteran will be gone. The 
Sudbury soldiers who are non-residents of the town are 
somewhat widely scattered ; but, as in the case of residents, 
more or less of them are at the head of households, occupy 
honorable positions, and are useful and substantial citizens. 



560 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

They laid down the weapons of war and took the imple- 
ments of peaceful pursuits, glad of the repose that comes 
after victory. 

Welcome with shouts of joy and pride 
Your veterans from the war-path's track ; 

You gave your boys untrained, untried, 
You bring them men and heroes back. 

Alice Cary. 

JAMES B. BUTTERFIELD. 

James B. Butterfield, son of Luther and Mary Butterfield, 
was horn in Way land, July 22, 1840. He was the second 
member of the family to serve in the war, his brother George 
having enlisted Aug. 18, 1861, in the First Massachusetts 
Cavalry. His early home was at Lanham, at which place he 
has recently resided. 

WILLIAM B. BAILEY. 

William B. Bailey, son of Mathew and Roxanna Bailey, 
was horn at Palmer in 1837. He was a resident of Sudbury 
at the time of enlistment, and by occupation a shoemaker. 
He married Alvina Darling of Sudbury, and since his dis- 
charge from the army has lived at the place in South Sud- 
bury formerly owned by his father-in-law, Trobridge Darling. 
He belonged to Company D, Thirty-fifth Regiment. 

JOHN H. EATON. 

John Henry Eaton, son of John and Ruth Eaton, was 
horn in Sudbury, Nov. 17, 1838. His home was in the 
Lanham district and his occupation that of a farmer. He 
belonged to Company F, Forty-fifth Regiment. Since his 
discharge from the army he has lived at his former home. 

JOSIAH GLEASON. 

Josiah Gleason, horn in Sudbury Aug. 8, 1826, was son 

of Reuben and Jerusha Gleason. He was by occupation a 
farmer, and since the war has resided in town. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 561 

FRANCIS GARFIELD. 

Francis Garfield, son of Enoch and Priscilla Garfield, was 
born in Lincoln, October 1830. He was by occupation a 
shoemaker, and became a citizen of Sudbury several years 
before entering the army. He married Sarah, daughter of 
Thomas B. Battles, and resides at Sudbury Centre. 

CHARLES E. HAYNES. 

Charles E. Haynes, son of David and Rachel Haynes, was 
born at Sudbury June 12, 1837. He enlisted for three years 
in the 13th Reg't., M. V. M., Co. F, and was mustered into 
service July 16, 1861. At the time of enlistment he was a 
farmer by occupation and a member of the " Wads worth 
Rifle Guards." After he was mustered out of the United 
States service, Aug. 1, 1864, he returned to Sudbury where 
he now resides. He married Abi, daughter of Daniel L. and 
Sarah Willis, and has one son, Charles Ernest. He was 
several times wounded. His first wound was caused by a 
fragment of shell which struck him on the head at the 
second battle of Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862. In the same 
battle he was also taken prisoner, but escaped. He was 
wounded next at the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, by 
a musket ball, which passed through both legs. The third 
wound was received May 8, 1864, at the battle of Spottsyl- 
vania, where he was shot through the hand and at the same 
time was struck by some missile in the side which knocked 
him down. 

RUFUS H. HURLBUT. 

Rufus H. Hurlbut, only son of Thomas P» and Mary 
(Moore) Hurlbut, was born at Sudbury, July 16, 1842. He 
enlisted at the age of twenty, in the Thirty-fifth Regiment, 
and was promoted to sergeant, May 8, 1865. While his 
regiment was before Petersburg, Sept. 30, 1864, he was 
wounded in the head. During his march through the Wil- 
derness he was taken sick, and for a time he was in danger 
of being left behind ; a comrade, John Morse, then of Way- 



562 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

land, nobly offered to remain with him. At Fredericksburg, 
as he went up the perilous heights, he was obliged to pass 
through a gap in a fence, the position of which was so ex- 
posed that he was forced to tread upon a heap of bodies 
which had just been slain, but he escaped unhurt. He con- 
tinued with the army till the expiration of his term of 
service, June 9, 1865, when he returned to South Sudbury, 
where he still resides. 

JOHN H. MOORE. 

John Herschell Moore was born in the west part of Sud- 
bury, June 30, 1841, and was the youngest son of James and 
Sally (Thompson) Moore. He enlisted for three years when 
a student, and was a member of Company G, Thirty-second 
Regiment. This regiment was engaged in the battles before 
Richmond, at Antietam and Fredericksburg in 1862, and at 
Chancellorsville, Spottsylvania and Rappahannock Station in 
1863. 

ALPHEUS PUFFER. 

Alpheus Puffer was born at Sudbury in 1840. He was 
the son of Samuel and Laura Puffer, and his early home was 
in the north-east part of the town. At the time of enlist- 
ment he was a resident of South Sudbury and by occupation 
a carpenter. He was a member of Company F, Forty-fifth 
Regiment. He is at present a resident of South Sudbury, 
and engaged in the business of a machinist. 

ELI H. WILLIS. 

Eli H. Willis, son of Eli and Mary Willis, was born in 
Sudbury in 1841. He was by occupation a farmer. He 
married Sarah, only daughter of Luther and Mary Butter- 
field, and resides in the Lanham district. He was a member 
of Company E, Thirty-fifth Regiment, and was the second 
member of his father's family to go to the war ; a brother, 
Averill, having enlisted August, 1861, in the First Massa- 
chusetts Cavalry. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 563 



SUMMARY OF SERVICE. 



According to Schouler in his " History of Massachusetts 
in the Civil War," Sudbury furnished one hundred and 
sixty-eight men, which was eleven over and above all de- 
mands. He states that " four were commissioned officers. 
The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by 
the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was 
seventeen thousand five hundred and sevent} T -five dollars. 
The amount of money raised and expended by the town dur- 
ing the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by 
the Commonwealth, was $6,199.18." 

" The population of Sudbury in 1860 was 1,691 ; the 
valuation, $1,043,091. The population in 1865 was 1,703 ; 
the valuation, $1,052,778. The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 
were James Moore, John H. Dakin, George Parmenter; in 
1863, A. B. Jones, George Goodnow, H. H. Goodnough ; in 
1864 and 1865, Thomas P. Hurlbut, Charles Hunt, Walter 
Rogers. The town clerk during all the years of the war 
was J. S. Hunt. The town treasurer during the years 1861, 
1862 and 1863 was Edwin Harrington ; in 1864 and 1865, 
S. A. Jones." 

Shortly after the war, Sudbury's rank among the towns 
of the county in population was the thirty-ninth. In 1776, 
it was the only town in Middlesex County having a popula- 
tion of two thousand. 

It may be of interest, as well as important as a matter of 
history, to give the names of Sudbury citizens who were in- 
cluded in the first and second classes of those subject to a 
draft in November, 1863. 

Provost Marshal's Office, 
Headquarters Seventh District, Massachusetts. 

Concord, November 24, 1863. 

By order of the Provost Marshal General of the United 
States, the following list of the names of all persons enrolled 
in the Sub-District of Sudbury, is published for the informa- 
tion of whom it may concern. 

Any person enrolled as below may appear before the 



564 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



Board of Enrolment on Monday, December 14th, 1863, and 
claim to have his name stricken from the list, if he can show 
to the satisfaction of the Board that he is not liable to mili- 
tary duty on account of, 1st, Alienage ; 2d, Non-Residence ; 
3d, Unsuitableness of Age ; 4th, Manifest Permanent Phy- 
sical Disability. 

As all disabilities must be manifest and permanent, cer- 
tificates of physicians cannot be examined or considered. 

All persons who were exempted from the recent draft on 
account of having furnished a Substitute, or paid Commuta- 
tion Money, need not appear. 



FIRST 

Adams, Joseph B., 33, farmer. 
Butterfield, S. Ebenezer, 21, shoe- 
maker. 
Bones, Patrick, 33, laborer. 
Brown, Francis H., 21, farmer. 
Bacon, Adoniram J., 24, " 
Bent, William H., 24, 
Bent, Cyrus A., 23, 
Bent, Lucius P., 31, " 

Bent, Samuel, Jr., 30, " 
Brinn, Thomas M., 32, tailor. 

Brown, Spencer W., 37, farmer. 

Brown, Hubbard H., 24, " 

Brown, Edward E., 3'5, " 

Brown, Newton E., 24, " 

Conant, E. Luman, 23, " 

Conant, Edwin A., 33, 

Conant, John M., 24, " 

Carr, Erwin S., 25, " 

Carter, Leonard, 33, hotel keeper. 

Cutting, George F., 27, trader. 

Cutting, Luther S., 30, farmer. 

Chase, Eli R., 25, clerk. 

Cheney, Henry H., 21, carpenter. 

Conant, Albert, 25, laborer. 

Dadman, Orin, 43, farmer. 

Evans, Moses W., 22, laborer. 

Eaton, Edward N., 20, farmer. 

Eager, William E., 31, laborer. 

Floyd, Charles W., 2*, laborer. 

Goodnow, John B., 33, farmer. 



CLASS. 

Hunt, Samuel M., 33, farmer. 
Horr, Richard R., 30, shoemaker. 
Hunt, Horatio, 34, carpenter. 
Haynes, Nathan C, 28, farmer. 
Haynes, George F., 28, " 
Jones, John C, 31, laborer. 
Jones, Levi S., 38, farmer. 
Linehan, John, 28, laborer. 
Lamson, Frederick A., 21, laborer. 
Moore, Francis U., 29, carpenter. 
McCann, Owens, .'51, farmer. 
Maynard, Moses W., 43, farmer. 
Moore, William H., 33, miller. 
Moore, Benjamin, 20, miller. 
Murphy, George H., 31, laborer. 
Nilligan, Morris, 28 " 

Newell, Michael, 24, " 

Parmenter, Lorenzo, 31, farmer. 
Parmenter, Alfred N., 23, " 
Parmenter, Alfred T.. 23, « 
Parmenter, John W., 27, carpenter. 
Phillips, John H., 25, laborer. 
Puffer, Dexter R., 32, clerk. 
Priest, Abraham, 27, farmer. 
Puffer, James F., 23, farmer. 
Prouty, Augustus, 34, clerk. 
Puffer, James J., 34, carpenter. 
Parmenter, Joel F., 33, trader. 
Pratt, Nathan L., 33, powder-maker. 
Pratt, Windsor, 31, cooper. 
Pratt, Francis, 24, farmer. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



565 



Garfield, John W., 30, shoemaker. 
Goodnow, Nahum, 20, laborer. 
Gleason, Josiah, 37, laborer. 
Goodnow, Elisha, 24, farmer. 
Gormain, William, 30, overseer. 
Gay, Aimer H., 27, shoemaker. 
Garfield Samuel H., 20, laborer. 
Goodnow Jonas, 42, laborer. 
Goodnow, John, 3d, 24, trader. 
Heffiman, James, 20, paper- maker. 
Hayden, Dana W., 28, farmer. 
Hunt, Luther G., 27, 
Haynes, Andrew, 25, " 
Haynes, Marshal, 22, 
Hemenway, Adoniram J., 21, clerk. 
Hudson, S. Alfred, 23, student. 
Haynes, James, 25, laborer. 
Haynes, Sylvester, 27, laborer. 
Hunt, Edward, 34, farmer. 



Pratt, Levi L., 37, farmer. 
Parmenter, Tisdale W., 26, farmer. 
Rogers, Edwin, 27, butcher. 
Richardson, Thos. C., 28, musician. 
Richardson, Lyman B., 22, miller. 
Stone, William L., 21, farmer. 
Stone, George W., Jr., 25, farmer. 
Smith Curtis, 20, 
Smith, Elisha E., 34, " 

Sherman, Theo. S., 30, shoemaker. 
Thompson, Alfred N., 31, farmer. 
Thompson, Charles, 36, " 

Tilton, John F., 35, 
Vinton, Porter M., 29, clergyman. 
Willis, James L., 25, farmer. 
Walker, Francis F., 26, farmer. 
Webster, Franklin, 28, machinist. 
White, Calvin, 30, laborer. 



SECOND CLASS. 



Agnew, James, 36, spinner. 
Brigham, Rufus, 44, farmer. 
Burr, Hiram G., 36, trader. 
Casey, Martin, 36, farmer. 
Cutter, Joseph D., 42, farmer. 
Cutter, Charles A., 37, butcher. 
Dakin, Asahel, 41, farmer. 
Doyle, Edward, 35, " 
Dittling, Felix, 36, " 
Dakin, John H., 43, " 
Dakin, Jonathan C, 43, farmer. 
Fairbank, Nelson, 43, " 

Fairbank, Jona P., 37, 
Goodnough, Hiram H., 37, farmer. 
Goodnough, John, 2d., 38, " 

Goodnow, George, 43, " 

Gough, William J., 36, carder. 
Hunt, Jonas S., 36, trader. 
Haynes, Reuben, 41, farmer. 
Haynes, Hiram, 39 " 

Harrington, Edwin, 43, " 
Hunt, Aaron, Jr.. 43, " 
Haynes, Warren H., 41, farmer. 
Hurburt, Thomas P., 43, " 
Hunt, Nicholas B., 42, " 

Haynes, Francis, 39, " 



James, Charles A., 43, machinist. 
Jones, William P., 43, shoemaker. 
Jones, William F., 35, laborer. 
Joice, John, 40, laborer. 
Ladd, Thomas, 41, laborer. 
Moore, Curtis B., 35, farmer. 
Milleman, Elisha, 35, " 
Moore, George, 35, " 
Murphy, James, 36, laborer. 
Noyes, Joseph, 38, farmer. 
Puffer, Napoleon B., 42, overseer. 
Parmenter, Madison, 36, farmer. 
Parmenter, Samuel O., 43, " 
Puffer, Otis, 38, mariner. 
Parmenter, Addison, 36, farmer. 
Pierce, Luke, 40, farmer. 
Perry, Levi E., 42, farmer. 
Rice, Isaac, 43, laborer. 
Rice, John W., 41, farmer. 
Rice, Oliver R., 37, farmer. 
Richardson, Benj. H., 42, carpenter. 
Seymore, Charles, 43, farmer. 
Smith, Farwell, 39, farmer. 
Sawyer, Theodore W., 44, farmer. 
Taylor, Sewall B., 43, machinist. 
Taylor, John, 44, carpenter. . 



566 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Howe, Joseph C, 44, manufacturer. Taylor, George, 41, farmer. 

Harriman, John K., 38, carpenter. Tilton, Edward F., 37, powder-maker. 

Heard, Augustus, 44, farmer. Tilton, George W., 38, 

Jones, Dexter C, 42, farmer. Willis, George W., 42, carpenter." 

But few events of especial prominence, not already men- 
tioned, have transpired in Sudbury thus far during the closing 
period of the century ; and no record of its commonplace 
annals will be given. After mentioning the Bicentennial 
of the Wadsworth Fight, the laying out of an important 
highway, the George Goodnow Bequest, and the organization 
of societies, we shall consider in the subsequent chapters 
several subjects that stand related to each period of the 
history of Sudbury. 

BICENTENNIAL. 

April 18, 1876, the town celebrated what was supposed to 
be the two hundredth anniversary of Wadsworth's Fight at 
Green Hill (For true date see page 218.) At early dawn 
a salute was fired, and a procession of " Antiques and Hor- 
ribles " paraded, making a trip to South Sudbury. Later in 
the day a procession of the citizens, including the school 
children, was formed and marched to Wadsworth Monument, 
which was decorated with the national colors. The following 
sentiment was offered by Jonas S. Hunt, Esq., and was 
responded to by Hon. T. B. Hurlbut : "Wadsworth Monu- 
men t, — The joint tribute of the State of Massachusetts and 
the town of Sudbury." 

Services were held at the Unitarian Church, which con- 
sisted of prayer by Rev. George A. Oviatt, an oration by 
Prof. Edward A. Young of Harvard College, and remarks by 
Rev. George A. Oviatt, Luther H. Sherman, who spoke for 
Wayland, John H. Hillis, who spoke for Maynard, and 
Capt. E. D. Wadsworth of Milton, a descendant of Capt. 
Samuel Wadsworth. J. P. Fairbanks was president of the 
day. Jonas S. Hunt, Esq., was toast-master, and Homer 
Rogers chief marshal. Music was furnished by the Sudbury 
Cornet Band, Alfred M. Moore of Maiden, leader. The 
exercises closed by the singing of America. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 567 

Nov. 7, 1882, a committee appointed to consider the laying 
out of a road between the Horatio Hunt place and the rail- 
road junction, reported favorably, and the road was com- 
pleted. 

THE GEORGE GOODNOW BEQUEST. 

In November, 1884, it was voted to " accept of a donation 
of Ten Thousand Dollars offered the Town of Sudbury, by 
George Goodnow of Boston, for the purpose of establishing 
a fund, the income of which he desires to be used by the 
selectmen of said Town for the time being, to assist such 
citizens of the Town who are not, at the time of receiving 
the assistance, paupers, but who may for any cause be in 
need of temporary or private assistance." By motion of 
Rev. George A. Oviatt, the town voted that, "we do now as 
a town by vote express our hearty thanks to the donor of 
this generous Fund, assuring him of our appreciation of his 
love of his native town, and equally of his noble desire to 
render aid to the needy therein. And may his sunset of life 
be bright to the last, and terminate in the day of endless 
light and blessedness." 

Dec. 24, 1884, Goodman Council, No. 868, of the Royal 
Arcanum was organized. 

March 5, 1885, the Sudbury Grange, No. 21, was organized. 

In 1889, an unsuccessful effort was made by the Society 
of the Orthodox Congregational Church to hold their regular 
Sabbath Day services at South Sudbury. The same year the 
town took measures for securing a suitable spot for the erec- 
tion of a High School Building at Sudbury Centre. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



CEMETERIES. 



First Burial Place. — Old Burying-Ground at Sudbury Centre. — Mount 
Wadsworth Cemetery. — Mount Pleasant Cemetery. — New Cem- 
etery. — North Sudbury Cemetery. — Burial Customs. 

Our vales are sweet with fern and rose, 

Our hills are maple-crowned ; 
But not from them our fathers chose 

The village burying-ground. 

Whittier. 

There are few, if any, places in our New England towns 
more suggestive of the past than its ancient burial places. It 
is there that we find names now but rarely spoken in the 
places that knew them once, and the old headstones give a 
record of births, ages and deaths, which perhaps could be 
found nowhere else. Sudbury has at present five cemeteries 
within its limits : one at South Sudbury, one at North Sud- 
bury, and three at the Centre ; but the first burial place of 
the town was in East Sudbury, now Wayland. 

sudbury's first burying-ground. 

This ancient burial place is in Wayland, on the north side 
of the road leading to Sudbury Centre, and about a half 
mile from the railroad station. It has the general appear- 
ance of an old-time graveyard. The wild grass covers the 
toughened and irregular sod, and the uneven surface of the 
ground indicates that it was long, long ago broken by the 
sexton's spade. These indications of the existence of old 
graves are correct. It was the burying-ground of the set- 
tlers, and here — 

" Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, 
Each in his narrow cell forever laid, 
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." 
668 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 569 

The older part of this cemetery lies near or beside the 
county highway, and may be the half acre bought of John 
Loker for a burial place. Tradition says that prior to the 
selection of this spot a few interments were made just over 
the hill to the north, where tradition also states that there 
was an Indian graveyard. These traditions have perhaps 
some confirmation in the fact that on the northern hillside 
remains of human skeletons have been exhumed. An old 
citizen, Mr. Sumner Draper, states that in his boyhood, when 
men were at work in the gravel pit in what was known as 
the "old Indian graveyard," he saw bones which they dug 
up, that he thought belonged to several human skeletons, 
and that he had himself in later years dug up a human skull. 
He also stated that there were two or three flat stones on 
some graves, which he believed were without any inscrip- 
tion, and that he thought some such stones were removed 
from the spot long ago. 

The town owned thereabouts two or three acres of land, 
which was generally known as the " old Indian graveyard." 
But if this land was reserved by the settlers for a burial 
place, it was not long made use of; for the southerly slope 
was soon set apart for this purpose, and has continued to be 
used for more than two centuries and a half. Additions 
have repeatedly been made to this latter portion, as the 
generations have passed away, and new graves have been 
opened to receive them ; and thus has the slow, solemn 
march of that silent company been moving over that midway 
space, until the two portions are almost joined. Besides the 
age of the yard, there are other things' that make it an inter- 
esting spot to the inhabitants of Sudbury. Within its enclos- 
ure stood the first meeting-house. (See page 100.) Here lie 
buried the bodies of those who bore the name of Goodnow, 
Curtis, Grout, Rutter, Parmenter, Rice, Bent, and others of 
the early grantees, besides still others of Sudbury's most 
prominent citizens before the division of the town. Because 
of the interest that thus attaches to the place, although it is 
not now within the limits of the town, we will give the in- 
scriptions on some of the older gravestones which lie along 
the common highway. 



570 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Memento Mori. 
Here lyethe remains of Ephraim Curtis ESO r who departed this lyfe 
Nov r the 17 th A D 17.")!) in the 80 th Year of his age. He was a Loving 
Husband and a Tender Parent a faithful Friend, as a Justice of the 
Peace he Hon' d his Commission by adhering steadily to the Rules of 
Justice, he was Major of a Regiment, in which Office he conducted in 
such a manner as gave General Satisfaction. He was many years Rep- 
resentative in the General Court, a lover of True Piety, belov'd by all 
that knew him and Equally Lamented at his Death. 

" Here lea r n 

the end of man 

Know that thy life 

is but a span." 

On this gravestone is a skull and crossbones. 

In memory of Capt. Joseph Smith Who died March 9 th 1803, aged 
87 years. 

Farewell my dear and loving wife 
Farewell my children and my friends 
Until the resurrection day. 

Probably the captain of the east side militia. (See period 
1775-1800.) 

Here lyest y e Body of M rs Abagail Paris wife to M r Samuel Paris, 
who departed this life Feb rj7 y c 15 th 1759 in y 55 th Year of her age. 

Probably the wife of the son of Samuel Paris of Witch- 
craft fame. (See period 1675-1700.) 

Here Lyes y e Body of Mrs Patience Browne wife to Majr Thomas 
Browne Aged 59 years. Died Aug st y e 15, 1706. 

Major Thomas Browne was a very prominent Sudbury citi- 
zen. (See page 36.) 

In memory of Mr. Joseph Rutter, who died Dec. 19 th 1781 in 
y 8 7gth y ear f his age. 

Down to the dead, all must descend, 
The saints of God must die. 
While Angels guard their souls to rest, 
In dust their Bodies lie. 

Erected in memory of Mrs Mary Rutter wife of Mr. Joseph Rutter 
who died Sept 2 ond A E 82 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. v 571 

Joseph Rutter was a descendant and probably grandson of 
John Rutter, builder of the first meeting-house, which stood 
just beside where the remains of Joseph Rutter now lie. 
(See page 43.) 

Memento Mori. 

In memory of 

Mr. Thomas Bent who died Mrs. Mary Bent wife of Mr. 

Wednesday morning July the Thomas Bent who died Wednes- 

26 th 1775. day morning July y e 26 th 1775 

iEtatis 69. iEtatis 57. 

Our term of time is seventy years Yet then our boasted strength de- 

An age that few survive cays, 

But if with more than common To sorrow turns and pain 

strength So soon the slender thread is cut 

To eighty we arrive And we no more remain 

Two notable stones are those that mark the graves of 
Capt. Edmund Goodnow and wife. They are in a horizontal 
position, and just east of the old meeting-house site. The 
inscription is rudely cut, and in the language of other years. 
It is as follows : — 

YE- DUST- 

HEARE-LYETH- PRETIOUS- 

NT- 
OF - THAT - EMEN ANT - SARVA 

OF- 

GOD - CAP - EDMOND - GOODENOW - 

YEARE- 
WHO-DIED-YE-77- OF-HIS- 

AYGE - APRIL - YE - 6 - 1688. 



HERE - LYETH - YE - BODY - OF - ANNE - YE - 
WIFE - OF - CAP - EDMOND - GOODENOW - 
WHO - DYED - YE : 9 : OF : MARCH 1676 : AGED ■ 
67 -YEARS. 

HERE - LYETH - YE - BODY - OF - JOSEPH - 
GOODENOW - WHO - DYED - YE - 30 - OF - MAY 
1676 : AGED - 31 - YEARS. FEBRY - 18 - 1691. 



572 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Here lies Buried The Body of y e worthy Joshua Haynes Esq De- 
ceased March y c 29 1757 in the 88 year of His Age. He was a Hearty 
Promoter of the Public weal Whose . . Humanity Integrity and Laud- 
able Munificence Embalm His name. He was charitable to the Poor 
and at his Death gave many Gifts to Particular . . Besides 2 Thousand 
Pounds Old Tenor to a Publick School and y e Poor of y e Town of 
Sudbury. 

Joshua Haynes was the donor of the fund called, in the list 
of bequests to Sudbury, the "Ancient Donation Fund." 

HERE - LYES - YE - BODY - OF - MR - JONATHAN - 
SIMPSON - LATE - OF - BOSTON - WHO - DE- 
PARTED - THIS - LIFE - NO VR- 1 st - 1773 - IN - THE - 
54 th YEAR -OF -HIS -AGE. 

Charlestown doth claim his birth, 

Boston his habitation ; 
Sudbury hath his grave, 

Where was his expiration. 

THE OLD BURYING -GROUND AT SUDBURY CENTRE. 

A winding wall of mossy stone, 

Frost-flung and broken, lines 
A lonesome acre thinly grown 

With grass and wandering vines. 

Whittier. 

The oldest graveyard within the present limits of Sudbury 
is at the Centre. It is situated in the north-easterly part of 
the village, along the Concord road east of the Methodist 
Church. An early record of this burying-place is found in 
the proprietor's book, and bears date Feb. 26, 1716-17. 
(See pages 121 and 122.) Another record referring to it is 
dated June 12, 1725. (See page 292.) 

In this old graveyard, for a century and a half or upwards, 
what was mortal of many of the west side inhabitants was laid. 
The names of Haynes, Hunt, Parmenter, Goodnow, Brown, 
Moore and Howe, Bent, Rice, Richardson, Willis, Wheeler, 
Jones, Puffer, Hayden, Walker, and a host of others, long 
familiar in Sudbury, are to be found on the stones. Un- 
like the older part of the first yard, at what was East Sud- 
bury, the gravestones are here quite numerous ; but, though 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 573 

many, they do not mark all the graves, which nearly cover 
the entire space of that " thickly peopled ground." The 
enclosure is encompassed by a substantial stone wall, which 
within a few years has been well repaired. The place has 
but little shrubbery and few trees. Just beyond the road 
was the pound, near by or on the site of which the hearse 
house now stands. Within the past few years this yard has 
been but little used. Now and then the ground has been 
broken as the fragment of some ancient family has found its 
resting place among a group of old graves ; but these in- 
stances are fewer and farther between as time passes by, and 
it will probably soon cease to be used for new burials, but 
remain with unbroken turf until the morning of the resurec- 
tion. It is a place of sacred association, and as such has 
been regarded by the town's people ; especially was it much 
visited by them during the intermission between the Sabbath 
services, when two sermons were preached in one day. Then 
they visited this quiet spot, read epitaphs, talked of the past, 
and derived, it may be, such lessons from the suggestive 
scenes as were a moral and spiritual help. Along the north- 
erly side of the yard is the Sudbury and Concord highway ; 
and ranged beside this are family tombs. One of these is 
that of Mr. John Goodnow, the donor of the Goodnow 
Library. Upon others are names of old Sudbury families. 
Within the yard is only one tomb and that is underground 
and about westerly of the Plympton monument, and sur- 
mounted with a small brick work upon which lies a slate 
stone, with these words : — 

HOPESTILL BROWN, ESQ., TOMBE. 
1731. 

This tomb contains the remains of descendants of Dea. 
William Brown, an early grantee, who once resided near 
Nobscot. The tomb was years ago nearly full, the last burial 
being about 1852. This burying-ground contains several 
marble monuments of some considerable size. The first one 
was erected in 1835, and is commemorative of the Plympton 
family. The graves of two, at least, of Sudbury's old min- 



574 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

isters are there, — Reverends Bigelow and Hurlbut; the in- 
scriptions on the headstones are as follows : — 

Sacred to the memory of Rev. Rufus Hurlbut late minister of the 
church and society in Sudbury. He was born in Southampton, April 
21, 1787, and died May 11, 1839. Aged 52. 

" Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Jesus 
said " I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me though 
he were dead yet shall he live." 

In memory of Rev. Jacob Bigelow, Pastor of the Church and Con- 
gregation at Sudbury. Born Mar. 2, 1743. Graduated at Harvard 
College 17GC. Ordained in the Gospel Ministry 1772. After a happy 
and harmonious connexion with the People of his charge 44 years he 
died Sept 12, 1818. JEt 75 years. Habitual in piety and exemplary in 
his life & conduct, Cheerful and active in health, patient and resigned 
in sickness : beloved and respected while living, he was followed to the 
tomb with grateful remambrance by his relatives and the flock of his 
charge. 

This yard is the burial place of more or less of those 
who participated in the Concord fight, and subsequent bat- 
tles and scenes of the Revolutionary period. Notable among 
these is the grave of Deacon Haynes, upon whose gravestone 
is this epitaph : — 

In memory of Deacon Josiah Haynes who died in Freedom's Cause 
y e 19th of April 1775 : in the 79th year of his Age. 
Come listen all unto this call 

Which God doth make to day 
For you must die as well as I 
And pass from hence away. 

(For more concerning Deacon Haynes see Chapter XX.) 
Other stones at the graves of prominent men of those 
times are inscribed as follows : — 

In memory of Capt. Asahel Wheeler an officer in the Revolution, 
Died Oct. 28 1822 aged 81 years. 

In the northerly part is the grave of Capt. Jabes Puffer, 
marked with a slate stone slab. 

Sacred to the memory of Col. Ezekial How who died Oct. 15, 1796. 
/Etatis 77. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 575 

Sacred in memory of W m Rice. Esq. who died Dec. 5, 1819. JEt. 82. 
Whose true character will be better known at the resurrection. 

Erected in memory of Mr. John Goodnow who died Oct. 13, 1863. 
^Et. 101 yrs. 8 mos. 14 ds " The Lord is my Shepherd." 

The grave of a servant of Rev. Israel Loring has a stone 
there thus inscribed : — 

Here Lies y e Body of Simeon y e Once Faithful & Beloved Servant of 
ye Rv d M Isra 11 Loring, who Died May y e 10, 1755.' In y e 22 Year of 
His Age. 

On the stone of Capt. David Haynes, who died 1775, in 
his eighty-fifth year, is this inscription : — 

Reader 
Death is a debt to Nature Due 
As I have paid it so must You. 

On that of Mrs. Mary Willis the inscription is as fol- 
lows : — 

Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Mary Willis who died Oct. 9, 1805. 
Aged 84 years. 

Sickness sore long time I bore 

Physicians was in vain 
Till GOD did please to give me ease 
And free me from my pain. 

Some of the oldest have the following inscriptions : — 

Here lyes y e Body of M r Joseph Brintnal Died June y e 28 : 1731 in 
y e 49 th year of his age. 

Here lies Buried y e Body of Deac n James Haynes who Departed this 
life Octob r > e 15 th A. D. 1732 In y e 72 d year of his age. 

Here lies buried y e body of M r Abraham Woods J unr who departed 
this life July y e 11 th A. D. 1742. Age 58 years, 2 M. & 25 D. 

The oldest graves are near the centre of the yard. Proba- 
bly for the first few years after the lot was laid out, burials 
were less numerous than a little later, as the associations 
connected with the more ancient churchyard in the east part 
of the town would naturally lead to its somewhat continued 
use by the west side inhabitants. 



576 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

MOUNT WADS WORTH CEMETERY. 

It lies upon a sunlit slope, 

Where, lingering late, the sunset rays 

Aslant their golden radiance cast, 
And lovingly day longest stays. 

This cemetery is at South Sudbury, and formerly belonged 
to the Israel Howe Browne estate. It was originally quite 
small, having been enlarged several times. Formerly the 
last lot to the eastward was that of Asahel Haynes, and the 
northern boundary was just north of the tombs or about mid- 
way of the present width of the cemetery. The entrance 
was formerly south of Dr. Levi Goodenough's house and 
joined his grounds, but it was changed about the time the 
Wadsworth monument was erected, and now leads from the 
avenue that goes to the monument. In presenting the vari- 
ous changes that have been made in this cemetery, we quote 
from a paper prepared by A. J. Goodenough in 1881, and read 
before an audience in Sudbury Town Hall: "The cemetery 
was first enlarged in 1842. Miss Jerusha Howe, who died 
Feb. 21, 1842, had provided in her will a sum of money for a 
monument, which at that time seemed an extravagant outlay. 
Her brother, Lyman Howe, Esq., wishing to obtain a suit- 
able site for so costly a structure, and no satisfactory place 
within the old grounds being found, he selected the emi- 
nence north of the grounds — then a stony pasture — as 
being more sightly and appropriate. Mr. Browne was un- 
willing at first to have him occupy this place, as it involved 
the enlargement of the grounds, and among other difficulties 
did not wish to see land further north [used] for burial pur- 
poses without the consent of Dr. Goodenough, as it might 
injure his well of water. After considerable consultation on 
the subject, Mr. Browne yielded, Dr. Goodenough giving his 
consent, provided no lots should be sold any nearer his land 
than Miss Howe's. This increased the size of the cemetery 
to about double the original extent. But many years did 
not pass before the new ground was almost wholly occupied; 
Miss Howe's monument attracting much attention, and being 
probably the principal cause of many selecting their lots 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 577 

here. By some means, however, four lots were sold between 
Miss Howe's and Dr. Goodenough's land, and three of them 
were occupied. This proved a difficulty, as they not only 
interfered with the entrance to Miss Howe's lot, but Dr. 
Goodenough became anxious lest the water in his well 
should be injured by this encroachment. Accordingly he 
bought the three lots that had been occupied, paying the 
owners for new lots, as well as the expense of removing the 
remains, and Esquire Howe buying out the unoccupied lot. 
Thus they hoped to secure for the future open grounds, 
which might be either a grassy lawn, or be beautified with 
flowers, and thus render those living near free from danger 
in their wells of water, Mr. Brown assuring the doctor that 
the ground should not be used for burial purposes during his 
lifetime. One of these lots came so close to Miss Howe's 
that access could scarcely be had to it, no space being left 
for a walk between. This probably was the reason why Mr. 
Howe united in purchasing the lots. It is presumable that 
this was the occasion of a general agreement between the 
owners of lots, to make walks between their lots, for no pro- 
vision was made for walks when the cemetery was first laid 
out." 

Since the paper from which we have quoted was written, 
the cemetery has been still further enlarged until it now ex- 
tends nearly back to the hill. A few years ago, there was a 
small growth of trees along the avenues and about more or 
less of the lots, but they were recently removed lest they 
should deface the stones. The arch at present over the east 
entrance to the cemetery was erected in 1879, by Mr. Israel 
H. Browne over the west entrance. It was completed July, 
1879. There are those who remember the old man as he 
stood and surveyed it, leaning on his staff, his eyes filled 
with tears. "This will stand," he said, " when I am gone. 
The rest will live to see it, but I shall not be here long." 
He died within a few weeks. 

The following is from a newspaper notice of his death: 
" Mr. I. H. Browne, who recently caused the arch to be 
erected over the entrance to Mt. Wadsworth, was suddenly 
stricken with paralysis Aug. 10 [1879]. He rallied for a 



578 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

few days, then swiftly sank away, and in two weeks passed 
from earth, dying Aug. 25, proving his own words prophetic, 
that he might be the first from town borne beneath the arch 
for burial." The erection of this arch permanently affixed the 
name Mount Wadsworth to the grounds. After the ceme- 
tery came under the control of the cemetery corporation the 
arch was removed to its present position. 

The first monument erected in this yard was that of 
Jerusha Howe, and placed in the first enlargement of the 
grounds. The next was a plain marble shaft put up by Dr. 
Goodenough, which was the first in the old ground. Ac- 
cording to an estimate made about the year 1881, the 
number buried in the old part of the cemetery was about 
one hundred and thirty-three, and in the new parts one hun- 
dred and thirty-nine. This estimate does not include those in 
the tombs, nor several graves nearly or quite levelled down. 
The plan of making this a common burial place, it is sup- 
posed, was first conceived of by Mrs. Lucy Hinckly, a 
daughter of Mr. I. H. Browne, whose brother had recently 
died and been interred in the family tomb at the Centre. 
About that time there also died at South Sudbury Mrs. 
John Browne, Sen., and Mr. Gideon Richardson and wife, 
who were likewise buried at Sudbury Centre. The desire to 
have the bodies of these friends nearer by, the fact that the 
old burial-ground was so full, and that the spot was suitable, 
and made appropriate by the grave of Captain Wadsworth 
and his men, all contributed to the setting apart of this 
ground as a cemetery. The first interments were of remains 
removed from the old burying yard, and were made June 20, 
1835. It is supposed the bodies then removed were those 
of Elbridge, Melissa, and John Calvin Richardson and Edwin 
H. Browne ; that the latter was one of them is indicated by 
the following from a letter of Mrs. L. Fairbanks, daughter of 
I. H. Browne : ki I have just been to the new cemetery, where 
dear little Edwin now rests. He was removed with some 
others some time ago from the old brick tomb where our 
ancestors were all buried, and now they are only a little dis- 
tance from our home. Lucy was the first to suggest to have 
Father plan this new burial place." 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 579 

Mr. John Browne, Sr., the brothers Gardner, Luther, and 
Sewall Hunt formed a plan to build jointly three tombs. 
Mr. Luther Hunt, dying April 17, 1836, did not see the 
work completed which he had helped to plan. The tomb of 
Mr. John Browne, Sr., has inscribed on it J. and E. Browne. 
These tombs were erected in 1836. The stone was quarried 
at the foot of Nobscot hill, on the north-east side, and cut, 
hewn and fitted at the cemetery by Messrs. Damon and Pen- 
niman, who were the principal workmen. The granite, it is 
supposed, was from a hugh boulder, rather than from a ledge 
native to the hill. The next tomb was erected by C. G. Cut- 
ler, in 1839, and later, followed those of Roland Cutler and 
A. and E. Kidder; the latter of which has been somewhat 
altered within the last few years. In this tomb were de- 
posited for a little time the remains of Captain Wadsworth's 
men, after they were taken up for removal to the present 
enclosure. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE MOUNT WADSWORTH CEMETERY 
CORPORATION. 

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSCHUSETTS. 
MIDDLESEX ss. Sudbury, Jan. 12, 1887. 

To the proprietors of " Mount Wadsworth Cemetery " in Sudbury, in 
said County. 
A majority in interest of the proprietors of Mount Wadsworth Ceme- 
tery, having petitioned to Jonas S. Hunt, a justice of the peace in said 
county, that they desire to organize a corporation under the public 
statutes, the said justice of the peace has issued his warrant directed to 
the undersigned, and the substance of said warrant is : That a meeting 
of said proprietors will be held at the chapel in South Sudbury on 
Monday, the 31st day of January, A. D. 1887, at 2 o'clock P. M., for the 
purpose of organizing a corporation of the proprietors of Mount Wads- 
worth Cemetery, to elect all necessary officers of such Corporation and 
to transact such other business as may properly come before the 
meeting. Hubbard H. Brown, 

One of said Proprietors. 

Certificate of Organization. 

We, Rufus H. Hurlbut, President, Hubbard H. Brown, Treasurer, 
and Joseph C. Howe, John B. Goodnow and Nahum Goodnow, being a 
majority of the Board of Directors of the Mount Wadsworth Cemetery 
Association, in compliance with the requirements of the Public Statutes, 



580 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

do hereby certify that the following is a true copy of the agreement of 
association to constitute said corporation, with the names of the sub- 
scribers thereto : 

" We whose names are hereto subscribed do, by this agreement, 
associate ourselves with the intention to constitute a corporation accord- 
ing to the provisions of the eighty-second chapter of the Public Statutes 
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the acts in amendment 
thereof and in addition thereto. 

" The name by which this corporation shall be known is ' Mount 
Wadsworth Cemetery.' 

" The purpose for which the corporation is constituted is to hold 
land and tombs for a place of sepulture, and such buildings as may be 
necessary for such purpose, with the right to sell burial lots, erect 
tombs, and with all privileges such corporations are entitled to under 
the Statutes of Massachusetts. 

" The place within which the corporation is established or located is 
the town of Sudbury, within said Commonwealth. 

" In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this twelfth 
day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and eighty-seven." 

Samuel B. Rogers, Jonas S. Hunt, 

John B. Goodnow, Edward E. Brown, 

Nahum Goodnow, Hiram G. Burr, 

Hubbard H. Brown, James P. Carpenter, 

RUFUS H. HURLBUT, WlLLIAM L. STONE, 

Atherton W. Rogers, Edward N. Eaton, 

Luther S. Cutting, W. A. Ames, 

Joseph C. Howe, Stephen Moore, 

Walter Rogers, Homer Rogers, 

Charles L. Goodnow, Geo. A. Oviatt, 

Fred. C. Fisher, Mrs. John A. Goodwin, 

George W. Hunt, Mrs. J. D. Goodenough. 

" That the first meeting of the subscribers to said agreement was 
held on the thirty-first day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and 
eighty-seven, and by adjournment on the fourteenth day of February, in 
said year. 

" In witness whereof, we have hereunto signed our names this four- 
teenth day of February, in the year eighteen hundred and eighty-seven." 

Rufus H. Hurlbut, 
Hubbard H. Brown, 
John B. Goodnow, 
Joseph C. Howe, 
Nahum Goodnow. 

commonwealth of massachusetts. 
Middlesex ss. Feb. 14, 1887. 

Then personally appeared the above-named Rufus H. Hurlbut, Hub- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 581 

bard H. Brown, John B. Goodnow, Joseph C. Howe and Nahum Good- 
now, and severally made oath that the foregoing certificate, by them 
subscribed, is true to the best of their knowledge and belief. 

Before me, 

Jonas S. Hunt, 

Justice of the Peace. 

Town Clerk's Office, Sudbury, March 1, 1887. 
The above certificate received and recorded with " Sudbury Records 
of Organization of Corporations." 

Attest : Jonas S. Hunt, 

Town Clerk. 

PROCEEDINGS OF FIRST MEETING. 

Jan. 31, 1887. 

Pursuant to a warrant issued by Jonas S. Hunt, justice of the peace, 
dated Jan. 12, 1887, on petition of Samuel B. Rogers and others inter- 
ested in the Mount Wadsworth Cemetery, so called, a meeting was held 
in the chapel at South Sudbury, for the purpose of organizing a corpora- 
tion under the Public Statutes of Massachusetts. 

Said meeting was called to order and the warrant read by Hubbard 
H. Brown, to whom said warrant was directed, and the several articles 
were acted upon as follows : 

Article 1. Chose Rufus H. Hurlbut moderator. 

Art. 2. Chose Jonas S. Hunt clerk. 

Art. 3. Voted to proceed to organize a corporation to be called the 
Mount Wadsworth Cemetery. 

Art. 4. Voted to choose necessary officers for said corporation by 
ballot ; said officers to consist of the following, viz. : a President, Clerk, 
Treasurer, three Trustees and five Directors, and the following were 
chosen : Rufus H. Hurlbut, President : Jonas S. Hunt, Clerk ; Hubbard 
H. Brown, Treasurer ; John B. Goodnow, Nahum Goodnow and Joseph 
C. Howe, Trustees; Rufus H. Hurlbut, John B. Goodnow, Nahum 
Goodnow, Joseph C. Howe and Hiram G. Burr, Directors. 

Soon after the death of Mr. Israel H. Browne, the former 
owner of the cemetery grounds, his heirs sold their interest 
in the property to five persons, who conveyed it to the 
Mount Wadsworth Corporation soon after its organization. 
On the southerly side of the cemetery is the grave of Hon. 
John Goodwin, once Speaker of the House of Representa- 
tives. In the north-easteiTy corner, as it was about 1850, 
was the original Wadsworth grave. Because of the former 
existence of that grave and the present Wadsworth monu- 
ment, this cemetery is of more than ordinary importance, 



582 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

and will long be visited by those interested in the history of 
Captain Wads worth and his men. 

MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY. 

"In that village on the hill 
Never is sound of smithy or mill ; 
The houses are thatched with grass and flowers, 
Never a clock to tell the hours ; 



All the village lie asleep; 
Never again to sow or reap ; 
Never in dreams to moan or sigh, 
Silent and idle and low they lie." 

The third cemetery laid out in Sudbury is at the Centre 
and is called Mount Pleasant. As its name suggests, it is 
pleasantly situated on a lull and is just north of the common. 
The original name was " Pine Hill," and later, it took the 
name of "Pendleton Hill." In the second book of Town 
Records is the following, referring to land near it, " laid out 
to the right of Briant Pendleton sixteen acres and one hun- 
dred and forty rods on and adjoining to the Pine Hill near 
to and north-westerly of the meeting house on Rocky Plane 
(Sudbury Centre) in the West Precinct in said Sudbury." 
(See page 292.) This cemetery contains about four acres, 
which were bought of Mrs. Reuben Rice, afterwards Mrs. 
Thomas Bent, by a company of proprietors, the original 
members of which were Aaron Hunt, Cyrus Hunt, Charles 
Gerry, William Maynard, Abel B. Jones, Thomas Stearns, 
Samuel Jones, Asa Jones. The land cost one hundred 
dollars, and the proprietors paid twelve dollars and a half 
apiece. After the original purchase, a small three-cornered 
strip was bought of William Maynard for a passage-way to 
the town graveyard. It was set apart for burial purposes 
soon after 1840. The first proprietor's meeting was held 
May 24, 1845, and the following officers were elected: Abel 
B. Jones, Moderator ; Charles Stearns, Clerk ; Aaron Hunt, 
Treasurer; Aaron Hunt, Abel B. Jones, Charles Stearns, 
Directors. The first body buried there was that of Capt. 
Samuel Jones, and about the same time that of Dr. Thomas 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 583 

Stearns. There is a fine view from the hill to the north- 
ward, and, though the place is so near a much travelled 
highway, it is so situated as to be quite secluded. 

THE NEW CEMETERY. 

Near Mount Pleasant is a new cemetery that is owned by 
the town. It was purchased a few years ago, and has an 
entrance on the south to the county road, near the tomb of 
John Goodnow. 

NORTH SUDBURY CEMETERY. 

It knew the glow of eventide, 

The sunrise and the noon, 
And glorified and sanctified 

It slept beneath the moon. 

Whittier. 

The North Sudbury Cemetery is situated upon a sunny 
knoll and consists of one and six-tenths acres of land, for- 
merly owned by Reuben Haynes, and purchased by a com- 
pany for a cemetery in 1843. It is about one-eighth of a 
mile from North Sudbury village on the county road lead- 
ing from Framingham to Concord. It is quite regularly 
laid out in paths, with a carriage-way extending about it. 
The lots are in area twenty-four by thirty feet ; there are 
about two hundred and eleven persons buried in the yard 
and tombs. The first person buried there was Sumner 
Haynes, son of Josiah, Jr., and Mary Haynes, who died 
Aug. 6, 1843. 

Soon after, the bodies of the following persons were re- 
moved from the old cemetery at Sudbury Centre and interred 
here. 

LYDIA, 

Wife of Josiah Haynes, 

Died Mar. 3, 1843. 

Aged 66. 

Gone from earth to bloom in heaven. 

HARRIET AMELIA, 

Daughter of Leander and Harriet Haynes, 

Died Nov. 28, 1839. 



584 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

SUSAN HUNT, 

Daughter ok Israel and Ruth Hunt. 

Died Jan. 2, 1817. 

In this van! lie buried Capt. Israel Haynes, Nahum 
Thompson,* Esq., and Deacon Levi Dakin. Among the 
aged people are Join, Hunt, born Aug. 16, 1777, died April 
1 1873 ; Willard Mavnard, died June 29, 1870, aged ninety- 
two, and Josiah Haynes, died Sept. 6, 1807, aged eighty-nine 
years, five months. Two soldiers who died during the Civil 
War are buried here. 

OLIVER M. RICHARDS, 

member of co. g. 

47th Reg't Mass. Vols. 

Died Sept. 5, ISO:!. 

Aet. 36 yrs. 5 m. 

The o-rave has claimed our cherished one. 
Father, teach us to say, " Thy will be done." 
On those bright plains, that ever blessed shore, 
We hope to meet thee there, to part no more. 

HENRY L. HAYNES, 

KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF 

Berryville Va. 

Sept. 19, 1804. Aet. 36 yrs. 

A Member of Company C, 14 Reg. N. H. Vols. 

Here are two tombs, severally inscribed : — 

ISRAEL HUNT'S TOMB 
1845. 

ELISHA MOORE 
1861. 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 585 

BURIAL CUSTOMS. 

For thus our fathers testified — 

That he might read who ran 
The emptiness of human pride, 

The nothingness of man. 

Whittier. 

The piety of our ancestors left little room for customs that 
were senseless or uninstructive. If they were severely sol- 
emn, they were devoutly so ; and, if they employed some 
curious devices, it was for the promotion of good. The 
position of their gravestones shows that the dead were laid 
with the feet toward the east, or, as it was termed, " facing 
the east." Whence and wiry this custom, we know not. It 
might have had reference to the star of the east that an- 
nounced the birthplace of Christ ; but, whatever the cause, 
it doubtless was suggested by some religious idea. To us 
it is a strong reminder of the words of John Bunyan : " The 
pilgrim they laid in a large upper chamber whose window 
opened towards the sun rising, the name of the chamber was 
Peace, where he slept till break of day, and then he awoke 
and sang." 

The character of the gravestones was another peculiarity 
of those primitive times. It would seem the object was to 
impart to these mementos of the departed the most sombre 
aspect imaginable. As no flowers but those that were strewn 
by God's pitying hand were ever suffered to intrude their 
gay, sweet presence within the solemn enclosure, so the 
nearest approach to anything like sympathetic embellishment 
on those dark slabs was the weeping willow, which drooped 
its long branches over a funeral urn. But the more common 
ornament was the "skull and cross-bones," under which 
were uncouth markings and strange inscriptions. Sometimes 
the stones were placed in groups, sometimes in irregular 
rows. Some were placed upright and others horizontal on 
the ground ; but, as the latter are few and of very early date, 
we infer that this mode was exceptional or that it soon passed 
out of use. Perhaps it was a wise precaution in those far-off 
times to protect the grave from the wild beasts which were 



586 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

prowling about through the adjacent forests in search of prey. 
Another peculiarity is the fewness of the stones in our old 
graveyards. A casual glance might lead one to think they 
were full of slate-stone slabs, but actual count gives only a 
few hundred for all who died in the first century and a half. 
Indeed, in the older portion of the East Sudbury grave 
yard there are only two or three scores of stones, yet the 
yard contains the remains of a large portion of the town's 
early inhabitants. Indeed, a new grave can hardly be dug 
without intruding upon an old one. This seems to show 
that the practice of marking graves in old times was the 
exception and not the rule. Still another characteristic 
feature of these ancient grounds was their barren and neg- 
lected aspect. The graves were gradually levelled by the 
touch of time, the ground became uneven and rough and 
covered over with briars and wild grass. Yet we may be- 
lieve these spots were not in reality neglected nor forsaken, 
for, though the floral and decorative offering was a thing 
unknown, many an irregular, beaten path testified that the 
place of their dead was an oft frequented spot. 

In early times the dead were carried to the place of burial 
by the hands of friends. No hearse was used till about 
1800, when one was purchased at a cost of fifty dollars. In 
process of time a bier was used, and, as late as the beginning 
of this century, the body was carried on the shoulders of the 
bearers. In 1715, the town granted "three pounds for pro- 
viding a burying cloth for ye town's use.'" In 1792, it voted 
to provide two burying cloths; these were to throw over the 
remains in their transit to the grave. This is indicated by 
the following record : — 

" Lieut. Thomas Ruttcr is chosen to dig graves, to carry 
the bier and the cloth to the place where the deceased person 
hath need of the use thereof, and shall be paid two shillings 
and six pence in money for every individual person." 

In early times, gloves were provided for funeral occasions. 
We are informed of this repeatedly by the records of the 
town. About 17To, " To James Brown, for 6 pairs of gloves 
for Isaac Allen's child's funeral — 11 — " 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 587 

" To Col. Noyes for 7 pairs gloves for Isaac Allen's burial 
— 13 — " 

" To Cornelius Wood for 3 pairs gloves for John Goode- 
now's funeral." This was about 1673. 

Almost down to the present time the good old custom pre- 
vailed of ringing the bell on the occasion of a death. How 
it used to break into the monotony of our daily toil to have 
the silence suddenly broken by the slow tolling bell, that 
said plainer than words that another soul had dropped into 
eternity. Now a pause — listen ! three times three — a man, 
or, three times two — a woman. Another pause, and then 
strokes corresponding in number to the years of the deceased. 
On the morning of the funeral the bell tolled again, and also 
when the procession moved to the grave. 

As late as 1860, it was common to have a note read, "put 
up " the phrase was, in church on the Sabbath following 
a death, in which the nearest relatives asked " the prayers 
of the church that the death be sanctified to them for their 
spiritual good." 

The grounds early used for burial were owned by the town 
and set apart for its common use. No private parties 
possessed " God's acre " then. Proprietary lots were un- 
known in Sudbury one hundred years ago. Every citizen 
had a right to a spot for burial wherever in the town's bury- 
ing-ground the friends might choose to take it. The rich 
and poor were alike borne to this common spot ; caste was 
laid aside, and nothing save the slab at the grave's head 
might indicate the former position of the silent occupant 
of the old-time burial place. The graves of households 
were often in groups, reminding one of our present family 
lots, but this was by common consent, and not by any titled 
right to the spot. 

The expense of funerals in those early days was much less 
than at present. The coffin was made by the village carpen- 
ter of common pine boards, and was usually colored red. 
The following are bills for coffins about a hundred years ago : 

" Aug. 21st, 1781, Isaac Hunt D r to James Thompson ' to 
a coffin for his Father, : 10 : 0.' " 

** 1800, 'For making a coffin for a woman, 1.67.' ' 



588 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

" 1806, ' To Peter Willard for a coffin for Elizabeth Good- 
now, 1.30.' " 

" The coffin of Rev. Jacob Bryelow cost 110.00, and dig- 
ging the grave and attending his funeral was $2.00." 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



TAVERNS. 



Early Names. — Character and Importance. — First Tavern. — Others 
on the East Side.— Taverns in the South Part of the Town. — De- 
scription of the South Sudbury Tavern. — " Howe's Tavern," or the 
"Wayside Inn." — Mr. Longfellow's Connection with it. — Location 
and Early History. — Description. — The Last Landlord. — Tradi- 
tions Concerning it. — Taverns on the Central Road of the Town.— 
Taverns at North Sudbury. 

Whoe'er has travelled life's dull round, 
Where'er his stages may have been, 

May sigh to think that he has found 
His warmest welcome at an inn. 

Shenstone. 

The Public House was from an early date considered in 
Sudbury an important place. In 1653 or 1654 we find it on 
record that " John Parmenter, senior, shall keep a house of 
common entertainment, and that the court shall be moved on 
his behalf to grant a license to him." (Town Records, page 
115.) From this early period for the space of more than 
two centuries public houses were kept here and there. At 
first they were called " Ordinaries," at other times Public 
Houses, but generally the term Tavern was used. In one 
prominent instance has the term Inn been applied, and that 
in connection with Howe's Tavern, which Mr. Longfellow 
called the " Wayside Inn." 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 589 

The business of these places was to provide travelers with 
lodging and food, or to furnish " entertainment for man and 
beast." They were to an extent under the control of the 
town, as is indicated in a record of Oct. 4, 1684, when it 
was ordered that upon the " uncomfortable representations 
and reports concerning the miscarriage of things at the 
Ordinary ::::::::: 
three or four of the selectmen, in the name of the rest, do 
particularly inquire into all matters relating thereto." In 
all of these taverns strong drink was probably sold. Licenses 
were granted by the Provincial or Colonial Court, and the 
landlords were usually men of some prominence. Taverns 
were considered useful places in the early times, and laws 
existed relating to the rights of both landlord and guest. In 
the period of the Revolutionary War, when a price-list was 
determined at Sudbury for various common commodities, the 
following was established for taverns : — 

1779_ Mugg West India Phlip 15 

New England Do 12 

Toddy in proportion 

A Good Dinner 20 

Common Do 12 

Best Supper & Breakfast 15 Each. 

Common Do 12, Lodging 4. 

The " Parmenter Tavern " was the first one kept in town, 
and was in what is now Wayland, on the late Dana Par- 
menter estate, a little westerly of the present Parmenter 
house. The building was standing about eighty years since, 
and was looking old then. It was a large square house, and 
in the bar-room was a high bar. There the council was en- 
tertained which the court appointed to settle the famous 
" cow common controversy." Subsequently, taverns at East 
Sudbury were kept as follows : one a little easterly of Wil- 
liam Baldwin's, one at the Centre, now called the " Pequod 
House," one west of Reeves' hill, at the Reeves' place, one 
at the Corner, and one at the end of the old causeway, near 
the gravel pit. The tavern at the East Sudbury Centre was 
kept nearly a hundred years ago by John Stone, father of 
William who afterwards kept one at Sudbury. 



590 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The taverns that were on the west side the river, or 
within the present town limits, were on the three principal 
highways that passed easterly and westerly through the 
town. At the south part they were on the Boston and 
Worcester road. The first beyond that by the gravel pit, 
was on the John Taylor place, and kept by Mr. Wheeler at 
the time of the Revolutionary War. The next was that at 
South Sudbury. This house was of medium size, had two 
stories and a small porch in front. It stood at the corner of 
the Sudbury Centre and Boston and Worcester roads, and at 
a point south or south-east of the Goodnow Library. To 
the right and left of it were large barns and driveways, with 
numerous stalls, and between them and the house was a line 
of sheds, one of which had feeding troughs for horses. It 
could probably put up from twenty-five to fifty horses, and 
in the old days of staging and teaming it was a lively place. 
At the beginning of this century the tavern looked old, and 
was at about that time occupied by a Mr. Sawin. Subse- 
quently, it had several landlords. One of the last whose sign 
swung there was S. G. Fessenden, who occupied the place 
about forty years ago. There was formerly a bowling alley 
and ball-room attached to the place. A stable was kept 
there, and it was the terminus of the stage route from Stony 
Brook to Sudbury. This place was formerly a landmark in 
the village of South Sudbury, and when removed made a 
great change in the old-time look of the place. It was in 
: ppearance a typical tavern. Facing southward, it looked 
smilingly upon the approaching traveler, with its little roofed 
porch around which the clustering woodbine clung, while 
just in front and beyond the short circular drive which 
gently curved from the country road, was the " sign post " 
and " martin box " to which the martins annually came. 
Besides these, was the old ash-tree that still stands, and all 
taken together made pleasant surroundings that were quite 
appropriate to a country inn. A tavern was kept for a while 
at the Stone place, about a mile west of Mill Village. Mr. 
William Stone was its only proprietor, and it years ago ceased 
to be used as a public house. Beyond the bridge a tavern 
was early kept on the George Pitts place. (See page 493.) 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 59l 

THE "WAYSIDE INN. 

The scroll reads by the name of Howe. 

Longfellow. 

The fifth tavern on the Boston road through Sudbury, 
or the last toward Marlboro, is the old "Howe Tavern," or 
the famous " Wayside Inn " of Longfellow. This well- 
known hostelry scarcely needs any description by us. 
Pictures of it by pencil and pen have been many times 
made, and have variously portrayed its quaint characteris- 
tics. But a few facts here will be proper ; and, first, as 
to the poet Longfellow's connection with it. It is supposed 
that he never visited the spot more than twice, and t l iat 
then his visits were short. Once, in his youth, it is believed 
that he stopped there while on his way to New York, to 
take passage for Europe, and once, years later, at which 
time the writer saw him at South Sudbury with his friend 
J. T. Fields, as they stopped at the house of a relative of the 
Howe family to inquire about the Howe coat-of-arms. Thus 
limited was Mr. Longfellow's personal knowledge of the 
place, and even when on the premises it is said that he re- 
ceived legends and traditions from a source somewhat ques- 
tionable. The truth is, the place was early brought into 
notoriety by summer boarders, who came from the suburban 
towns, prominent among whom were Dr. Parsons and Prof. 
Treadwell of Cambridge. The former of these first men- 
tioned " Howe's Tavern " in verse, and from his writings, 
and from information obtained from others, Mr. Longfellow 
doubtless derived much of his material ; and about these 
facts he arranged such a setting of romance and legendary 
lore as his ready mind knew how to employ. 

But stripped of every feature of romance which may prop- 
erly have been given it by the great poet's pen, the Wayside 
Inn is a grand old landmark. It was built about the begin- 
ning of the eighteenth century by David Howe, who in 1702 
received of his father, Samuel Howe, a son of John one of 
the town's early grantees, a tract of one hundred and thirty 
acres of land in the "New Grant" territory. (See Chapter 
X.) The land upon which this ancient ordinary was built 



592 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

is situated in what was called the fourth squadron of the 
New Grants, and was probably either lot No. 48, which was 
assigned in the land apportionment in 1651 to Mr. William 
Pelham, or lot No. 49, which was just south of Mr. Pel- 
ham's, and was assigned at the same time to Mr. John Par- 
menter, Jr. Beyond these two lots, southerly, was that 
assigned to Thomas King, and adjacent to this, on the south, 
was the " Cowpen Land," which, like the others, was a one 
hundred and thirty acre lot, and joined the then " wilderness 
lands," or the territory of what is now Framingham. These 
lots abutted easterly, on the thirty-rod highway which ran 
north and south through the town, and westerly, on what is 
now Marlboro. The lot of land upon which the tavern was 
built was not the lot formerly assigned to John Howe, the 
grandfather of David, in the apportionment of 1651. That 
tract was lot No. 16, and situated in the second squadron, 
which was the north-easterly one of the " New Grants." But 
Mr. John Howe may have exchanged that lot for another, or, 
if it passed by inheritance to Samuel, his son, it might by 
him have been exchanged or sold, and No. 48 of the fourth 
squadron bought, or it may be that David, the grandson, 
made the change. As the " New Grant," though allowed in 
1649, and laid out and apportioned by lot in 1651. was not 
purchased of the Indians until 1684, great changes doubt- 
less took place in the ownership. But, however the change 
in this case came about, David selected this spot for his home, 
and at about the time of the gift began to build. During the 
' process of constructing the house, tradition says, the work- 
men resorted for safety at night to the Parmenter garrison, a 
place about a half-mile away. (See Chapter XI.) The 
safety sought was probably from the raids of Indians, who, 
long after Philip's War closed, made occasional incursions 
upon the borders of the frontier towns. At or about the 
time of its erection, it was opened as a public house, and, m 
1746, Col. Ezekiel Howe, of Revolutionary fame, put up the 
sign of the " Red Horse," which gave it the name that it 
went by for years, namely, the "Red Horse Tavern." In 
1796, Col. Ezekiel Howe died, and his son Adam took the 
place and kept the tavern for forty years. At the death 




THE WAYSIDE INN. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 593 

of Adam it went into the hands of Lyman, who continued it 
as an inn until near 1866, about which time it passed out of 
the hands of an owner by the name of Howe. Thus, for 
more than a century and a half, and by representatives of 
four generations of the Howe family, was this place kept as 
an inn. In the earlier times this house was of considerable 
consequence to travelers. It was quite capacious for either 
the colonial or the provincial period, and was within about 
an easy day's journey to Massachusetts Bay. The road by 
it was a grand thoroughfare westward. Sudbury, in those 
years, was one of the foremost towns of Middlesex County 
in population, influence and wealth, while the Howe family 
took rank among the first families of the country about. 
The seclusion of this quiet spot to-day is not indicative of 
what it was in the days of the old stage period, and when 
places since made prominent by the passage of a railroad 
through them were almost wholly or quite unknown. In 
the times of the wars against the Indians and French it was 
a common halting place for troops, as they marched to the 
front or returned to their homes in the Bay. towns. It was 
largely patronized by the up-country marketers, who, by 
their frequent coming and going, with their large canvas- 
topped wagons, made the highway past this ordinary look 
like the outlet of a busy mart. Stages also enlivened the 
scene. The sound of the post-horn, as it announced the near 
approach of the coach, was the signal for the hostler and 
housemaid to prepare refreshment for man and beast. In 
short, few country taverns were better situated than this to 
gain patronage in the days when few towns of the province 
were better known than old Sudbury. This place, noted, 
capacious and thickly mantled with years, is thus fitly de- 
scribed by Mr. Longfellow : — 

As ancient is this hostelry 

As any in the land may be, 

Built in the old Colonial day, 

When men lived in a grander way 

With ampler hospitality; 

A kind of old Hobgoblin Hall, 

Now somewhat fallen to decay, 



594 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

With weather-stains upon the wall, 
And stairways worn, and crazy doors, 
And creaking and uneven floors, 
And chimneys huge and tiled and tall. 

The region about this old ordinary corresponds to the 
building itself, reminding one of the Sleepy Hollow among 
the highlands of the Hudson described by Washington Irv- 
ing. It is on the edge of the plain lands of the Peakham 
district, just at the foot of the northernmost spur of Nobscot 
Hill. To the westward, a few rods, is the upper branch of 
Hop Brook, with its faint fringe of meadow lands, over 
which the county road gently curves. In the near neigh- 
borhood are patches of old forest growth, whose tall trees 
tower upward like sentinels in the view of passers along the 
county road. Indeed, so aptly does Mr. Longfellow describe 
the place where the house is situated that we quote further 
from his beautiful verse. 

A region of repose it seems, 

A place of slumber and of dreams, 

Remote among the wooded hills ! 

For there no noisy railroad speeds 

Its torch-race, scattering smoke and gleeds. 

Along the highway to the eastward in the direction of 
South Sudbury, which from this place is about two miles 
distant, are still standing several ancient oaks. These trees 
were, doubtless, standing and had considerable growth when 
lot number forty-eight was of the town's common land, and 
owned by Tantamous and others who signed the Indian 
deed in 1684, by which the new grant lands were conveyed. 
Beneath them Washington and his retinue passed, and per- 
haps Wadsworth and Broeklebank when they sped in their 
haste to save Sudbury from Philip, and a long procession 
of travelers, since the opening of the way to Marlboro from 
the Hop Brook mill, has passed under their venerable shade. 
Soldiers to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and the various 
expeditions to the west and north in the Revolutionary and 
French and Indian Wars have halted in their inarch as they 
approached this picket line of ancient oaks that were de- 
ployed at the approach to the Inn. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 595 

Ancient Druid never worshipped 

Beneath grander oaks than these ; 
Never shadows richer, deeper, 

Than have cast these s;iant trees. 



Monuments of earthly grandeur — 

Shrines at which the people bow, 
Yielding homage as to nobles 

Of the honored name of Howe. 

Like an old baronial castle 

This weird structure holds its place, 
Through whose portals has departed 

Every remnant of the race. 

Lucinda (Brown) Fairbanks. 

There is now about the place an aspect of vacancy, as if 
something mighty were gone, and very appropriate are still 
further words of the poet Longfellow. 

Round this old-fashioned, quaint abode 
Deep silence reigned, save when a gust 
Went rushing down the country road, 
And skeletons of leaves and dust, 
A moment quickened by its breath, 
Shuddered, and danced their dance of death, 
And, through the ancient oaks o'erhead, 
Mysterious voices moaned and fled. 

We will now briefly state something concerning the house, 
and the family in later years. The structure of the building 
is quaint. It has a gable roof which rests on low-posted 
walls, while L's extend from the main body toward the east 
and west. It stands by the roadside, facing the south, while 
here and there, not far from it, are the huge trunks of decay- 
ing trees, with branches growing more and more scant as the 
years pass by. It is said that in the house are eighty-one 
windows. There is upon one of the window panes, cut with 
a diamond, this sentence : — 

What do you think 

Here is good drink 

Perhaps you may not know it, 

If not in haste, do stop and taste 

You merry folks will show it. 

William Molineux, Jr., Boston, June 24, 177G. 



596 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

The house was furnished with a hall, the typical kitchen 
of a country inn, the bar-room with its high counter, while 
outside and beyond the road and nearly in front was swung 
the red-horse sign. 

Squire Lyman Howe, the last landlord of the inn and the 
one of Mr. Longfellow's poem, was a man rather imposing 
in appearance, somewhat dignified and grave. He was at 
one time a prominent singer in the Congregational choir, a 
school committee man, and justice of the peace. Years ago, 
he was a familiar object to the villagers of South Sudbury, 
riding in his chaise with the top tipped back, as he went to 
the post-office or to visit the district schools ; and he fitly 
represented, in his younger and more prosperous years, the 
family of Howe. He lived a bachelor and was the last link 
of an illustrious lineage. As a tavern-keeper, he did less 
and less business as his years increased, and finally the 
landlord died at the inn, the last of the name of Howe who 
lived, at that famous house. Since his death, the place has 
been a resort for pleasure-seekers and people of antiquarian 
tastes. It has been visited from far and near, and so it will 
continue to be as time passes by. Traditions concerning it 
may gather and grow, and treasures of colonial art may be 
traced to it, till, like the alleged articles of the " Mayflow- 
er's " illustrious cargo, the original place of deposit could 
not have contained them all. Indeed, marvellous stories 
have already been told of the auction that followed the death 
of Squire Lyman Howe, but these stories are extravagant. 
A few articles that were rare and relic-like may have been 
sold, but, for the most part, it was only a commonplace sale 
at the inn when the landlord died. Probably the house was 
largely depleted of what it once contained ; the family never 
was one of great wealth, and the circumstances attending 
the life of the last landlord would naturally scatter many 
of the furnishings of the old-time inn. The piano that was 
sold was the first one ever brought into the town. Strange 
stories have also 'been told as to occasional guests at this 
ancient "ordinary." It has been said that Captain Wads- 
worth here rested and refreshed his men on his way to the 
Wadsworth fight ; that here Washington stopped and Lafay- 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 597 

ette lodged. That some of the traditions are true is prob- 
able, that some are not true is also probable ; as to its con- 
nection with Captain Wads worth and his company, it is 
sufficient to refer to the date of the house and the date of 
the fight. That General Washington stopped there is quite 
probable, since he went from Marlboro to Boston and dined 
at Weston with Colonel Lamson who commanded the Fifth 
Middlesex Regiment in the Revolutionary War. As the 
Howe Tavern would be on his direct route it would be nat- 
ural for him to stop there and, at least, take a lunch with 
Mr. Howe, another of the colonels of the Revolution. But, 
though a part of the traditions of the place are improbable, 
there yet remains enough of reality to make this a favorite 
place, and it needs no embellishment of fancy to give to it 
a sufficient charm or make it rich in rare reminiscences. 
The old stage road that winds its way by it; the double 
eaves of its gable roof; the old oaks hollowed by the hand 
of time ; the name and history of the family of Howe, — 
these, with the notoriety of Mr. Longfellow's poem, all con- 
spire to give the place a fame akin to that of the village of 
Grand Pre' of Evangeline. What though the tales of the 
Wayside Inn were never uttered at Howe's Tavern at all 
under such circumstance, as the poet describes ; other tales 
as touching, as thrilling, and grand, may often have been 
uttered within it. Groups, characteristic of colonial and 
provincial times, often sat by its fireside ; the inhabitants of 
Nobscot and Peakham gathered there from hamlet and farm, 
to sit and talk of a long fall night ; the stage-driver and his 
passengers stopped there for lodging or lunch, the marketer 
halted as he was "going down " with his load, the teamster 
with his ox-wagon and yokes of slow steers, the transient 
traveler also, and the occasional errandless tramp. Such at 
times were guests at this house, and found refreshment and 
shelter within its time-worn walls. Surely, many scenes of a 
quaint character transpired there in the years of the town's 
early history, and though they have all passed by, the old 
house is suggestive of them, and stands a souvenir of other 
and busier days on an old stage road of the town. It recalls 
to mind an old family of Sudbury and familiar events in con- 



598 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

nection with it, and is a memorial of the typical tavern in 
those old-time days. 

The taverns on the central road of the town were on the 
present Berlin and Boston highway, and from the " Gravel 
Pit " to the middle of the town. The first, passing westerly, 
was on the Captain Rice place, about half a mile from the 
Centre. Here, at an early date, was an inn which was kept 
during the Revolutionary period by William Rice. The 
house was a square, two-story building of medium size, with 
a laro-e chimney in the middle. It stood a few rods north of 
the road and faced the south. It is many years since it was 
used as an inn. For a long time it was the homestead of 
Capt. William Rice, and was last occupied by his descend- 
ants. A short time ago it was burnt. Tradition says that 
formerly the road ran through the door-yard, and came oat 
by Daniel Smith's at Water Row. 

The next tavern west was the Wheeler-Haynes House, 
formerly the parsonage of Rev. Israel Loring. Walter 
Haynes kept a public house there in the early part of this 
century, but it has long since ceased to be used for that pur- 
pose. The third tavern was at the Centre, at the road- 
corner just north of the store, or at the angle made by the 
Berlin and Boston highway, with that leading from South 
Sudbury to Concord on the left side going north. This 
tavern was kept; years ago by a Mr. Rice, who was killed at 
Wash bridge. Subsequently, in the early part of this cen- 
tury, it was kept by Dr. Kidder. About fifty years ago, it 
was kept by Joel Jones, and later, by Miranda Page, at which 
time it was burnt. A fourth tavern was at the Dr. Stearns 
place, the second house west of the Unitarian Church. It 
was not built for an inn, but was the residence of Thomas 
Stearns, a physician. After Dr. Stearns' death it was occu- 
pied by Webster Moore, who kept a public house there for 
some years. A tavern was kept at North Sudbury, well 
known as the "Pratt Tavern." Another was the "Puffer 
Tavern ; " and one quite old was kept at the north-west part 
by Jonathan Rice, a prominent man in town. 

Such are some of Sudbury's old-time taverns. They had 
their day and disappeared, because the means of their main- 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 599 

tenance failed. One means, on which all these ancient hos- 
telries depended perhaps to a greater or less degree, was the 
sale of intoxicating drinks. Some received patronage from 
the old stage routes, and all of them from the passing trav- 
eler and his team. But now the great growth of the tem- 
perance movement, and the introduction of new modes of 
conveyance, have so changed the condition of things that 
the old tavern is needed no more. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



PHYSICIANS. 



Early Mention of Physicians. — Biographical Sketch of Dr. Ebenezer 
Roby. — Ebenezer Roby, 2d. — Ebenezer Roby, 3d. — Josiah Lang- 
don. — Moses Taft. — Moses Mossman. — Ashbel Kidder. — Thomas 
Stearns. — Levi Goodenough. — Otis O. Johnson. — George A. Oviatt. 

. . . Doubtless, after us, some purer scheme 
Will be shaped out by wiser men than we, 
Made wiser by the steady growth of truth. 

Lowell. 

An early mention of a doctor in Sudbury is on page 155 
of the first book of Town Records, where it is stated that 
" Alrake, Physician, was to have five bushels of wheat in 
consideration of his care of the Widdow Hunt." Another 
record on page 185 of the same book states that, at a select- 
men's meeting, " it was agreed with Dr. Chattock and payed 
him for his paynes and phisick hee gave to Debrah Wedge 
and agreed with him for a month to keep her for 2 shillings 
a week which month was out Sept the 5 th 1702." We con- 



600 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

elude there was no surgeon in town up to the year 1673, as 
it was then ordered that " Mr. Peter Noyes do procure and 
bring Surgeon Avery from Dedham to the Widdow Hunt of 
this town to inspect her condition and to advise and direct 
and administer to her relief and cure of her distemper." 

EBENEZER ROBY, M. D. 

One of the most noted physicians of Sudbury was Dr. 
Ebenezer Roby who lived on the East Side. He was born 
in Boston in 1701, and graduated at Harvard College in 
1719. He settled in Sudbury about 1725, and in 1730, mar- 
ried Sarah, daughter of Rev. John Swift of Framingham. 
He lived in the old Roby house which was recently destroyed 
by fire. He was prominently connected with town matters 
in Sudbury, where he lived and practiced his profession till 
his death. He was buried in the old graveyard at East Sud- 
bury, and the following is his epitaph : — 

In memory of Ebenezer Roby Esq, a Native of Boston New England. 

He fixed his residence in Sudbury in the character of a Physician 
where he was long distinguished for his ability and success in the 
healing art. 

Born Sept 20 th 1701 
Died Sept 4 th 1772 aged 71. 

For a specimen of the charges of Dr. Roby see page 350. 
His son, Dr. Ebenezer Roby, Jr., born in 1732, also prac- 
ticed medicine in Sudbury, and died July 16, 1786, aged 
fifty-four. Dr. Joseph Roby, son of Ebenezer, Jr., was a 
practicing physician in East Sudbury till 1801. 

JOSIAH LANGDON, M. D. 

The name of Josiah Langdon is in the town records of 
Revolutionary soldiers with the title of doctor attached, 
which indicates that he was a practicing physician in town 
at that time. As he died soon after the making of the 
record, at the early age of thirty-two, his professional career 
was very brief. His death occurred in 1779, and he was 
buried in the Old Burying Ground, which indicates that his 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 601 

home was in the West Precinct. The following inscription 
is on the stone that marks his grave : — 

In memory of Doctor Josiah Langdon who died Feb. y e 24 th 1779 

JEt32 
Mortuus Vivit. 



MOSES TAPT, M. D. 

Dr. Moses Taft practiced medicine in Sudbury towards the 
close of the last century. He lived at the " Centre," in 
what has been known subsequently as the " Barker house," 
and where a grocery store was once kept. (See period 
1850-75.) He was buried in the western part of the Old 
Burying Ground. His grave is marked by a slate stone, 
inscribed, — 

Doct. Moses Taft, Died July 22 nd 1799 
Aged 45. 
" Let living friends his virtues trace 
Then they 11 in glory see his face." 

MOSES MOSSMAN, M. D. 

Dr. Moses Mossman was one of the old-time physicians of 
Sudbury. He practiced medicine there towards the close of 
the last and the early part of the present century. His 
professional work extended over quite a portion of the 
neighboring country, reaching to Stow, Acton, Concord and 
Marlboro. The following is a specimen of his bills, which 
shows the expense of medical calls and medicine in those 
times : — 

" To Doctor Mossman for doctoring Asahel Knight in his 
late sickness, 3 visits and medicine 2.75." 

His home was in the northerly part of Sudbury at the 
Mossman place ; and it is said that, about the locality of his 
garden plot, the herbs still grow which the doctor used to 
cultivate. He was much beloved and respected as a citizen, 
and it was said that he was very religious. In one of his 
journals he states that on one occasion, as he was riding in 
a very dark night, while in communion with God, a light 



602 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

shone about the team to guide him. He died, Aug. 15, 1817, 
aged seventy-five, and was buried in the western part of the 
Old Burying Ground. At the grave is a slate stone with 
this inscription : — 

In memory of Doctor Moses Mossman and Mrs. Mary Mossman his wife. 

Doctor Moses Mossman died Aug. 15, 1817, 

Mt75. 

Mrs. Mary Mossman died Aug. 17, 1817, 

JEt GG. 

They lived mutually active, and highly respected, and died much 

lamented. 

" Our lives are closed and o'er, 

Our Saviour's praises now we sing, 

He saves us by redeeming power 

And takes us to our Heavenly King." 

ASHBEL KIDDER, M. D. 

Dr. Ashbel Kidder practiced medicine in Sudbury for 
about twenty-five years in the early part of the present 
century. He was born at Sutton in 1770, and studied medi- 
cine at Harvard College. Before and after the commence- 
ment of his medical studies he taught school. He married 
a daughter of Ezra Taylor of Southboro. He was lame 
and his health was not robust. He was a Free Mason 
and Master of Middlesex Lodge in Framingham. He was 
also justice of the peace, as is indicated by a record in his 
note-book of marriage ceremonies performed by him from 
1815 to 1819. His practice extended over a considerable 
district and he was well known in the neighboring towns. 
As indicative of medical charges at that time we give the 
following found among his bills: — 

" To Ashbel Kidder for doctoring Ephraim How of Ac- 
worth, while sick at Sudbury in 1812, to 30 visits 2 miles 
and medicine left each time o0.25." 

He lived at Sudbury Centre in a house at the corner of 
the roads, which was used for many years as a tavern and was 
burned near half a century ago. (Sec chapter on Taverns.) 
He died in 1823, and left four children, — Almira, Francis, 
Dana, Caroline, and Ezra Taylor. A daughter of Francis D. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 603 

is Mrs. Frances (Kidder) Adams, wife of Dr. Z. B. Adams 
of Framingham. Dr. Kidder and wife were buried in the 
Old Burying Ground, and afterwards removed to the Kidder 
tomb, Wadsworth Cemetery. 

THOMAS STEARNS, M. D. 

Dr. Thomas Stearns practiced medicine in Sudbury for 
some years previous to 1840, about which time he died. He 
lived at the Centre, in the second house west of the Unita- 
rian meeting-house, on the north side of the road, and since 
used as a tavern. He was an active citizen, of a positive 
nature, and energetic in the prosecution of his plans. He 
was interested in what pertained to the history of Sudbury, 
and gathered quite a collection of old documents, which, 
since his death, have been purchased by the town and are 
known as the " Stearns' Collection." He was buried in 
Mount Pleasant Cemetery. 

LEVI GOODENOUGH, M. D. 

Dr. Levi Goodenough was born in Derby, Vt., Oct. 30, 
1803. He received his diploma from the Medical School of 
the University of Vermont, Sept. 16, 1828, and settled in 
Sudbury Feb. 12, 1830, where he remained till his death. 
He was a typical country physician. Having had the advan- 
tage of studying with a physician who kept a drug store, he 
acquired some skill in compounding medicines, and was 
accustomed largely to prepare and furnish the medicines he 
prescribed. In extracting teeth he made use of the " turn- 
key," which he never failed to adjust with due deliberation 
and care. As a citizen, Dr. Goodenough was public spirited, 
and a stanch advocate of reform ; in temperance, his name 
stands among the pioneers. He was a professing Christian 
from early youth. On going to Sudbury, there being no 
church in it of his persuasion, he joined the Baptist Church 
in Weston, where he occasionally joined in worship. He 
also aided in the support of the Methodist Church, Sudbury, 
but he identified his interests with the Congregational Church 
of that place, all the meetings of which he took delight in 
attending whenever circumstances would permit. His in- 



604 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

terest in missions was very great and he gave freely in their 
behalf. He had two children by his first marriage, and 
named them Ann Haseltine and Adoniram Judson, after the 
well-known missionary to Burmah and his wife, Dr. and 
Mrs. Judson. His early educational advantages were lim- 
ited, but he was a lover of learning, and in after years 
became somewhat proficient in Latin and the sciences, while 
he practiced the most rigid economy that he might give a 
liberal education to his own children and lend a helping 
hand to others who were striving to the same end. In his 
declining years he became deeply interested in geology and 
mineralogy, and was enthusiastic in the collection of speci- 
mens and in calling attention to their marvellous structure. 
At about the age of fifteen he was thrown from a horse, 
thereby incurring injuries which rendered his after life one 
long struggle with disease and weakness ; yet he practiced 
medicine for over fifty-six years in Sudbury. He died, April 
3, 1886, at the age of eighty-two, and was buried in Mount 
Wadsworth Cemetery. He married for his first wife Cynthia 
Rice of East Sudbury (Wayland), Feb. 11, 1830, and for his 
second wife Jerusha Dakin of Sudbury, Nov. 8, 1837. He 
adopted two children, Carrie and Grace ; the former died 
young. 

OTIS O. JOHNSON, M. D. 

Dr. Otis O. Johnson practiced medicine in Sudbury for 
some years about the middle of the present century. He 
was son of John and Polly (Hemenway) Johnson, and born 
at Southboro, April 17, 1817. He studied medicine with 
Dr. John B. Kittridge of Framingham, and went from that 
place to Sudbury where he practiced homoeopathy. He lived 
at the Centre and South Sudbury. He afterwards returned 
to Framingham where he died, Jan. 8, 1882. He married 
Mary, daughter of Dexter Stone of Framingham, and had 
two children. 

GEORGE A. OVIATT, M. D. 

Dr. George A. Oviatt was born in Boston, March 30, 1849. 
He was the son of Rev. George A. and Isabella G. Oviatt. 
His paternal ancestor came from Wales and settled in Mil- 




illl lis 



RESIDENCE OF NICHOLS B. HUNT, 
South Sudbury, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 605 

ford, Conn. His great-grandmother on his mother's side was 
Polly, daughter of Captain Minot of Concord. She was 
present at the Concord fight, and was sent with the small 
children of the town, who were entrusted to her care, to a 
place of safety till the danger was past. Dr. Oviatt fitted 
for College at Hartford Latin School, and graduated at Yale 
in 1872. He received his medical diploma at the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons, New York, March, 1875. April 
of the same year he commenced the practice of medicine in 
Sudbury, where he still resides. Jan. 20, 1878, he married 
Ella A., daughter of Nichols B. and Angeline (Brown) Hunt 
of Sudbury, and has one child, George Parker. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



TEMPERANCE. 



Early Customs. — Effects of Cider Drinking in North Sudbury. — Con- 
nection of Taverns with the Liquor Traffic — Drinking Customs in 
South Sudbury. — Common Use of Malt. — Extract from James 
Thompson's Account Book. — Dawn of Better Times. — Pioneers in 
the Temperance Cause. — Reformatory Measures.— Temperance Re- 
form. 

An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told. 

Shakespeare. 

This town, now prohibitory as it relates to the liquor 
traffic, was formerly, we judge, very much like the average 
towns in the State in this matter. There is evidence that 
intemperance has, from an early period, made havoc and had 
its victims here. The following record is found upon the 
town book: "Upon the uncomfortable representations and 
reports concerning the [condition] of things at the Ordinary 



606 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

of this town, it is ordered this 4 th of October 1684, that three 
or four of the selectmen in the name of the rest do particu- 
larly enquire into all matters relating thereto, and if upon 
examination they find matters there as they are reported 
that they advise with Mr. Walker and his wife, and labor by 
persuasion with them with all conveniant speed to take down 
their sign, and to lay down and relinquish their selling of 
any drink." 

In 1807, a vote was passed "that the town would use its 
endeavor to assist the selectmen in carrying into effect the 
law respecting Retailers and Taverns in said town [as they 
were related to certain persons] viz : those persons who mis- 
spend, waste and lessen their estates whereby they are likely 
to become chargeable to said town." 

It was the habit of the people for two centuries to use 
spirituous liquors and special occasions had their special 
quantities. The farmer wanted his extra cider for his 
hoeing or threshing and his extra rum for haying ; and in 
the latter work he hardly thought it possible to get along 
without it. The carpenter wanted a good allowance for 
" raising," and on afflictive, and social, and gala occasions it 
was thought liquor was indispensable. In 1729, there is a 
record of payment " To David Baldwin for frame of Bridge 
37 pounds ; to twelve men to raise said bridge who went into 
y e water 3 pounds, for drink &c 5s — Id " In 1759, there 
is a record of payment " To Caleb Moulton for material for 
new bridge and 5 quarts Rum 2 — 11 — 3." In 1747, Jona- 
than Rice rebuilt Lanham Bridge, and the next year there 
was a record in the town book of payment "To Mathew 
Gibbs for rum and for raising Lanham bridge 12 shillings." 
As late as 1816, on the occasion of Rev. Jacob Bigelow's 
funeral, we find the following in the record of the town's 
indebtedness for articles furnished : " To Daniel Goodenow 
for spirit and sugar &c $15.40." 

In 1779, prices were established for the common commodi- 
ties, and among them for spirituous liquors as follows: 
" West India Phlip 15 New England Do 12 Toddy in pro- 
portion." Malted liquor was also early made use of. Malt 
was one of the articles granted the town after Philip's War 



HISTOKY OF SUDBURY. 607 

from the so-called " Irish Charity Fund," and valued at 
18d. per ball. Malt liquors were extensively used, and malt 
was long considered quite a useful commodity. About 1688, 
when Deacon John Haines made a contract for building a new 
meeting-house, he was to receive for the work in " country 
pay at country price, merchantable Indian corn, Peas, Beef, 
Pork and Malt." There was an old malt house at South 
Sudbury owned by James Thompson. When it was demol- 
ished, which was about the middle of the century, it was 
much dilapidated, as if it had not been used for many years. 
This indicates the disuse of malt liquor in Sudbury from 
early in the century. But a drink largely made use of, be- 
cause cheap and easily manufactured, was cider. The cider 
mills were in various parts of the town. The effect of cider 
drinking in North Sudbury has been so forcibly set forth by 
Mr. John Maynard that we quote his words : — 

"In 1830, in that half of the town north of the road from 
Wayland to Hudson, there were 12 cider mills owned by 
farmers who ground their own apples and allowed their 
neighbors the use of the mills for 8 cents per barrel of 32 
galls. The amount of cider made there was much less than 
50 years previously. Old orchards had decayed and new 
ones bore grafted fruit for the market. The price was very 
low because the use of cider as a daily drink had been super- 
seded largely by that of cheap New England rum — a change 
for the better somewhat, as temperate people limited them- 
selves to 3 glasses or less per day instead of the unlimited 
use of cider . . . Within the territory above named are now 
only two mills making together only about 100 barrels yearly 
and that for vinegar. Orchards now produce grafted fruit, 
and the windfall, bruised and refuse apples are sold to large 
mills at Sherborn, Maynard and S. Acton, for about 25 cents 
per barrel of c l\ bushels. The product is not so strong as 
that made formerly from sound ripe natural fruit. New 
England families, one hundred years ago, larger than at 
present, would use both in city and country 200, 400, and 
sometimes more gallons of cider yearly. The mug was inva- 
riably on the table at meal times, always on the sideboard, 



608 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

and too often those who went to the cellar for a supply 
' drank at the tap.' Old people of intelligence who lived to 
see the dawn of total abstinence have expressed the opinion 
that much of the rheumatism, inveterate sores, and other 
complaints of former days was chargeable to the cider mug. 
Every one who called, from the minister to the tramp, was 
offered the common drink with the apology if it was very 
sour as it sometimes was in the spring ' it is pretty hard,' to 
which custom required the response, 'it is harder where 
there is none,' an assertion that often had more of politeness 
than truth. Many men and some women kept more or less 
'boozy' week after week, and it is a question whether the 
larger percentage of stupid and stammering children born 
then, compared with those of the present time was not due 
to the excessive use of cider by parents." 

That the custom of drinking any kind of spirituous liquor 
was exceedingly pernicious, notwithstanding what some have 
said of the quality of it in those days, is very evident. The 
testimony is that the tavern bars were a nuisance. Says the 
writer just quoted concerning them, — 

" One of the incidental benefits of railroads has been the 
discontinuance of the old country and village taverns. They 
were a public necessity, were licensed for the ' public good,' 
kept by respectable people, afforded good accommodations 
for man and beast at moderate rates, but the profits came 
from the sale of liquors at the bar which was open seven days 
in the week day and night, and few landlords were willing to 
admit that a man unless he was furiously or beastly drunk 
had taken too much, until he had no money to pay for more. 
The taverns were nuisances to the neighborhoods where they 
were located, and like the modern saloons, nurseries of 
drunkenness and pauperism. The taverns of Sudbury were 
as good as the average elsewhere and probably no better." 

Such is the strong language of one of Sudbury's promi- 
nent citizens, with regard to the former use of both fer- 
mented and spirituous liquors. The estimate as here given 
we believe facts will generally confirm. There were drunk- 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 609 

ards in those days, and sad havoc was made in the town, in 
the church, and in many families by intemperance. Not 
only was the practice of moderate drinking well nigh uni- 
versal, but it was considered respectable. What every- 
body did was supposed to be right, and that almost every- 
body used intoxicants is indicated by a statement made to 
the writer by an inhabitant of Sudbury nearly seventy years 
old. He said that when he was a boy he did not know of 
a person in the place (South Sudbury) but what used it ; and 
that there were three places in that small village where they 
could get it. He said it was not considered a disgrace to 
drink, but it was considered a great disgrace to get drunk, 
and that any one who got so was held up as a warning to 
others. He also said it was considered no disgrace on a holi- 
day to get a little lively. That it was not considered disgrace- 
ful to use liquor as a beverage is evident from the open and 
commonplace manner of the sales. It was not by any means 
confined to the taverns, but was a commodity that passed 
over the counter of the grocery as well. On a Saturday 
night the staid villager would go to the store to get the sup- 
ply of new rum as naturally as of molasses or salt. As indi- 
cating the commonplace way in which malt was bought and 
sold, we give the following from a credit page in an account 
book of James Thomson, a carpenter and wheelwright, who 
kept the malt house in South Sudbury : — 

Credit to Jonas Holden Ju r 
by one pint of Rum 
Sept r 12 th 1789 by one Mugg of Flip 
Sept r 1789 to two half Muggs of Flip 
Oct r to one half Mugg of Flip to Flag 
Nov r to one Pint of West India Rum 
June. 8. 1780 by one quart W : Rum 
Oct' 5. 1790 by 71 £ of Beef at 2 d 
Nov r 1790 by half pound of Butter 
Jany 1791 by 17 lb of Cheese at 12 
Jany 13 th 1791 by one Bushil of Indian corn 
July 1791 by fustian for the foreparts of a Jacket 
Dec. 8 to his house to Concord - 1-4 

Not only did each householder provide liquor for himself 
and family, but custom required that callers, not excepting 



0- 


0- 


• 4. 


0- 


0- 


■ 8. 


0- 


0- 


■ 8. 


0- 


0- 


4. 


0- 


0- 


■ 7. 


0- 


0- 


7 


0- 


11- 


10. 


0- 


0- 


5. 


0- 


2- 


10. 


0- 


2- 


8. 



610 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

the doctor and the minister even, be furnished with flip, and 
the more distinguished the guest, the more indispensable the 
article. Traders, under certain circumstances, were expected 
to extend the same courtesy. 

Captain Kidder told the writer the story that a customer 
once came to his shop, and he mixed a mug of flip, supposing 
he had prepared enough for them both, and passed it to him ; 
he took it, and, placing it to his lips, drank the entire con- 
tents without stopping. When the captain took the mug 
from his hand and saw it was empty, he said, " Won't you 
have a little more?" "Oh, no," said the man, "I never 
drink to excess." 

But better times at length dawned on the town. With the 
early agitation of the subject of temperance in the land, Sud- 
bury began to make progress. Here and there, an enter- 
prising person thought work could be done without the use 
of intoxicants. One of the first to believe this in the early 
part of the present century was Deacon Levi Dakin, who 
had a barn raised without furnishing rum on the occasion. 
Another early advocate of the temperance reform was Dr. 
Levi Goodenough, who would not provide any intoxicating 
liquor to those whom he employed. Other pioneer advo- 
cates were Deacon Martin Brown, Nahum Thompson, Esq., 
Edward and Howe Brown, Abel and Joseph Richardson and 
Deacon Gardner Hunt. Rev. Rufus Hurlbut was one of the 
early reformers in his profession, and Charles Gerry was the 
first selectman in Sudbury to refuse a liquor license. Before 
the reform set in it was the custom at " Kidder's shop," at a 
given time each day, for an apprentice to go to the grocery 
opposite and get some rum for "black strap," — a concoc- 
tion of New England rum and molasses. One of the ap- 
prentices, Ira B. Draper of Wayland, then quite young, con- 
cluded that it was a poor practice for him to indulge in ; he 
therefore refused to go for the liquor. The example was 
followed by others, and soon a large share of his fellow 
workmen found they could get along without their daily 
potation of " black strap." 

About 1835-40, when there was an agitation of this sub- 
ject in the country, temperance meetings were held at 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



611 



the centre of the town on Sunday evenings, probably in 
the porch of the Old Parish Meeting-house, where evening 
meetings were sometimes held. Besides these meetings, an 
occasional' lecture was given on the subject. Soon temper- 
ance societies began to be formed ; one of which was the 
"Cold Water Army," an organization for the children 
formed about 1841. This society adopted a pledge, and at 
times formed processions and marched with banners. Very 
soon liquor ceased to be sold at the South Sudbury grocery 
store, and it was left for the old tavern stand to be the sole 
place for the retail of the stronger stimulants for that part of 
the town. With the lessening of places for the sale, and the 
growth of a better sentiment, the community became more 
abstemious, the example of one person was followed by 
another, until by about the middle of the present century 
the entire drinking customs of society thereabouts were 
changed. But even after that time liquor was sold at the 
taverns. At South Sudbury the bar-room was still open to 
the traveler and the occasional call of a villager ; but one 
by one the taverns were closed, and drunkenness grew less 
and less, until at the present time this may be considered a 
strong prohibitory town. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

COLLEGE GRADUATES AND PROFESSIONAL MEN. 

List of Graduates before 1800. — Biographical Sketches of College 
Graduates and Professional Men since 1800. 

" Not many lives, but only one have we ; 
One, only one. 
How sacred should that one life ever be, — 
Day after day filled up with blessed toil, 
Hour after hour still bringing in new spoil." 

The following is a list of college graduates prior to 1800. 
The names of those who graduated before 1776, are taken 
from a sketch of Sudbury supposed to have been written by 
Dr. Israel Loring. 

HARVARD COLLEGE GRADUATES BEFORE 1800. 



Samuel Jennison 


1720 


Gideon Richardson 


1749 


Noyes Parris 


1721 


Samuel Baldwin 


1752 


William Brintnall 


1721 


Jude Damon 


1770 


Thomas Frink 


1722 


Aaron Smith 


1777 


John Loring 


1729 


Ephraim Smith 


1777 


Jonathan Loring 


1738 


Reuben Puffer 


1778 


William Cooke 


1748 


Jacob Bigelow 




William Baldwin 


1748 







The following are biographical sketches of college gradu- 
ates and professional men since 1800, so far as we have 
information. 

GEORGE H. BARTON. 

George II. Barton, son of George W. and Mary S. (Hunt) 
Barton, was born at Sudbury, July 8, 1852. At the age of 
seventeen he attended the academy at Chester, Vt., after- 
wards, S. P. Frost's private school, Maynard, and the high 

612 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 613 

school of the same town. After a somewhat rough experi- 
ence carpentering, blacksmithing, etc., he entered the Warren 
Scientific Academy in Woburn, and, at the age of twenty- 
four, entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 
and graduated with the class of '80. In 1881, he taught in 
the Drawing Department of the Institute. He was offered 
and declined a position on Charnay's Expedition to Yucatan 
and Central America. He soon after accepted an offer from 
the Hawaiian Government survey, and left Boston for Hono- 
lulu Aug. 9, 1881. After remaining in this survey about 
two years, he received an appointment in the Geological 
Department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 
which he accepted and still retains. 

FRANCIS F. BROWN, M. D. 

Francis Frederick Brown, son of Edward and Abigail 
(Rogers) Brown, was born in Sudbury, Aug. 12, 1834. He 
studied at Warren Academy, Woburn, and in 1851 entered 
Amherst College, where he graduated in 1855. He studied 
medicine at the Harvard and Berkshire Medical Schools, 
graduating at the latter in 1862. Subsequently he served as 
assistant surgeon of the Forty-eighth Regiment M. V. M., 
until it was mustered out Sept. 3, 1863. He settled in 
Reading in 1864, where he still resides and follows his pro- 
fession. June 7, 1865, he married Emma Mary Clapp of 
Dorchester, and has had six children. 

E. R. CUTLER, M. D. 

Edward Roland Cutler, son of Roland Cutler, was born in 
Boston Jan. 15, 1841. In his early life his parents removed 
to Sudbury. He attended Wadsworth Academy at South 
Sudbury and entered Williams College in 1858. He gradu- 
ated at the Harvard Medical School in 1863, having spent 
a year at Rainsford Island Hospital, Boston Harbor. He 
entered the United States service as assistant surgeon of the 
First Heavy Artillery, formerly the Fourteenth Infantry. In 
1864, he became surgeon of the regiment, and served in that 
capacity till the close of the war. He practiced medicine 



614 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

for a time at Hartford, Conn. ; spent three years in medical 
study abroad, mostly in Vienna ; and, Jan. 1, 1870, settled in 
Waltham, where he now resides. He married Melvina A., 
daughter of Samuel B. Rogers of Sudbury, and has had 
seven children. 

JOSEPH CUTLER, ESQ. 

Joseph Cutler, son of Christopher G. Cutler and great- 
grandson of Gen. John Nixon, was born at South Sudbury, 
Dec. 9, 1815. He entered Amherst College at the age of 
nineteen, from which he graduated in 1840. He studied at 
the Harvard Law School and began the practice of his pro- 
fession in Boston. As a lawyer, he was especially able in 
matters of real estate. He acted for many years as counsel 
for the Cambridge Savings Bank. He was the author of the 
celebrated compendium entitled, "The Insolvent Laws of 
Massachusetts," three editions of which were published prior 
to the United States Bankrupt Law, and the fourth edition 
of which was revised and enlarged by him after its repeal. 
Said the "Boston Advertiser," "his memory will be fondly 
cherished as of an excellent lawyer and an honest man, as 
approximating closely to the highest standard in every de- 
partment of life and duty, and as, if not one of the world's 
most famous, one of its worthiest and best." 

HON. CHARLES F. GERRY. 

Charles Frederick Gerry, son of Charles and Orisa Gerry, 
was born at Sudbury, June 3, 1823. He graduated at the 
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., and soon after be- 
came a teacher in the Boston Mercantile Academy, and later, 
in the Fort Hill School, Boston. Subsequently, he engaged 
in the insurance business, and for a time lived at Hyde Park, 
being its first representative to the Legislature in 1877, and 
for some years President of its Savings Bank. In the midst 
of a busy life, he has been a frequent contributor to peri- 
odical literature, and some of his productions have been 
selected for school text-books, and some set to music of dis- 
tinguished composers. In 1888, Lee & Shepard published 
his book of poems, entitled "Meadow Melodies." From 




RESIDENCE OF HON. C. F. GERRY, 
Sudbury Centre. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 615 

Hyde Park Tie removed to Sudbury, from which place he 
went to the Legislature, serving one term in the House and 
two terms in the Senate, being chairman during the second 
term of the joint committees on Education, the State Library 
and Parishes and Religious Societies. He married Martha 
A. Clough of Canterbury, N. H., who was a literary lady of 
wide reputation and for some years had charge of the edi- 
torial columns of the " Boston Olive Branch." Mr. Gerry 
has four children, — Charles C, Eleanor M., Frank F. and 
Gilbert H. 

ADONIRAM J. GOODENOUGH. 

Adoniram Judson Goodenough, son of Dr. Levi and Cyn- 
thia (Rice) Goodenough, was born at Sudbury Aug. 6, 
1833. He finished his academic studies at Warren Academy, 
Woburn. He entered Amherst College where he graduated 
in 1854. He began the study of medicine, but weakness of 
the eyes compelled him to abandon it. He spent several 
years in the South engaged in business, and returned North 
in 1863. His later life has been spent at Providence, R. L, 
where he still resides. 

GEORGE M. HOWE, M. D. 

George M. Howe, son of Buckley and Sally Howe, was 
born in Sudbury, July 2, 1824. After attending the Fram- 
ingham, Leicester and East Hampton Academies, he entered 
Union College, but was prevented by ill health from com- 
pleting his collegiate course. He pursued his professional 
studies at the Harvard Medical School, and settled as a 
physician in the town of Harvard where he practiced about 
ten years ; he then went to Framingham, where he continued 
in his profession till his death which occurred Sept. 16, 1882. 
He was married at Harvard, Jan. 17, 1855, to Harriet M., 
daughter of Rev. James Howe of Peppcrell, and had live 
children. Dr. Howe was a skillful physician, courteous and 
gentle in disposition and much esteemed by the community. 
In the words of an obituary notice of him, "he was laid 
away for his final rest on a bright, warm, autumnal day 
amid the smiles of nature and the tears of his friends. 



616 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

ALFRED S. HUDSON. 

Alfred Sereno Hudson, son of Martin N. and Maria (Read) 
Hudson, was born at South Sudbury, Nov. 20, 1839. He 
studied at Wadsworth Academy, and entered Williams Col- 
lege in 1860, at which institution lie graduated in 1864. 
The same year he entered the service of the United States 
Sanitary Commission, and was stationed for a time near 
Petersburg, Va., during its siege. Upon his return he en- 
tered the Theological Seminary at Andover, at which he 
graduated with the class of '(37. Sept. 26, 1867, he married 
Miss L. R. Draper of Wayland. He was ordained and in- 
stalled pastor of the Congregational Church, Burlington, 
Dec. 19, 1867, where he remained six years. Subsequently 
he was acting pastor of the Congregational Church at Eas- 
ton. In 1876 he went to Maiden where he remained six 
years ; there he had charge of the Congregational Churches 
in Maplevvood and Linden, both of which erected meeting- 
houses during his pastorate. Nov. 1, 1883, he became acting 
pastor of the First Congregational Church at Ayer, which 
position he still occupies. 

EDWARD B. HUNT. 

Edward Brown Hunt, son of Emory and Alice How 
(Brown) Hunt, was born in South Sudbury, Feb. 19, 1855. 
He fitted for college at the Boston Latin School, entered 
Harvard College in 1874 and graduated in 1878. He taught 
school at Ncwburyport three years, and has been in the 
Boston Public Library since 1883. 

EDWIN HUNT. 

Edwin Hunt, son of Sewall and Sophia (Puffer) Hunt, 
was born at Sudbury in 1837. At the age of fifteen he 
entered the High School, Concord, where lie fitted for col- 
lege. Two years later he entered Amherst College and 
graduated in 1858. He chose teaching as his profession, and 
taught a select school in Enfield, Haydenville, and Sherborn, 
and Wadsworth Academy. He served in the United States 
Sanitary Commission until obliged to leave on account of ill 



HISTORY Otf SUDBURY. 617 

health. Resuming his profession, he became assistant pre- 
ceptor at North Bridgewater, after which he accepted the 
position of instructor of natural science in the Free Academy 
at Utica, N. Y. He was especially interested in the depart- 
ment of botany, the study of which he had pursued through 
a large part of his professional life. He was a successful 
collector of specimens and possessed an extensive herbarium. 
For researches in natural science he received the degree of 
Ph.D. He was re-elected to his position in the Academy 
till failing health obliged him to withdraw. He died May 24, 
1880, beloved by his pupils, trusted in his profession, and 
respected by all. He married Mary A., daughter of Edward 
Brown of Sudbury, and left several children. 

OTIS E. HUNT, M. D. 

Otis Eugene Hunt, son of Joseph Goodnow Hunt and 
Lucy Howe Hunt, was born in South Sudbury, July 7, 1822. 
He fitted for college at the Holliston Academy, Wayland 
High School and Wilbraham Academy. He entered the 
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1844, but ill 
health compelled him to leave at the expiration of nine 
months. He afterwards studied medicine with Dr. Levi 
Goodenough of Sudbury, and in the Boylston Medical 
School, Boston, and graduated at the Berkshire Medical 
College in 1848. He began the practice of medicine and 
surgery in Weston, where he remained sixteen years. He 
then moved to Waltham and afterwards to Newtonville, 
where he now resides. He has been one of the leading phy- 
sicians in Middlesex County, and was the first to administer 
sulphuric ether as an anesthetic in the towns of Sudbury, 
Wayland and Weston. He married Aroline E., daughter of 
Nahum and Abigail Thompson of Sudbury, Oct. 9, 1849, and 
has two children, Nina Maria and William O. 

SERENO D. HUNT. 

Sereno D. Hunt, son of Sewall and Sophia (Puffer) Hunt, 
is a native of Sudbury. He early attended a select school 
at Sudbury Centre, taught by Dr. E. O. Haven. He after- 



618 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

wards attended the academies at Framingham and Deny, 
N. H. He was the first principal of the high school in 
Concord, Mass., and for ten years taught a select school at 
North Bridgewater. In 1865, he became the preceptor of 
the Norfolk County Academy, Milton, Mass., and subse- 
quently principal of the high school hi the same town, which 
position he held till 1877. 

HERBERT S. JONES, M. D. 

Herbert Samuel Jones, son of William P. and Catherine 
A. (Brown) Jones, was born at South Sudbury, Nov. 5, 
1851. He entered Williston Seminary, Easthampton, 1873, 
and Yale College in 1875. In 1885, he entered the New 
York Homoeopathic Medical College, and graduated in 1888. 
The same year he entered upon the practice of medicine in 
Elizabethport, N. J., where he now lives. He married 
Evelyn Wilson of Roselle, N. J., in 1887. 

JOHN L. O'NEIL, ESQ. 

John L. O'Neil is son of John and Julia O'Neil, who 
went to Sudbury in I860. He studied law for a time in the 
office of Hon. William P. Courtney of Lowell, after which he 
graduated at the Harvard Law School, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1882. In 1884, he began the practice of his pro- 
fession in Chelsea, where he still resides. 

HARRIET M. BR ATT. 

Harriet M. Pratt, a daughter of Nathan L. and Harriet 
Hunt Pratt, was born in Sudbury. After a course of study 
at the Framingham High School, she entered Smith College, 
Northampton, from which she graduated in 1881. 

LUTHER BUFFER. 

Luther Puffer, son of Samuel, was born in North Sudbury, 
Sept. 11, 1833. In 1850, at the age of seventeen, he en- 
tered the sophomore class at Bowdoin College, and graduated 
in 1853, delivering the salutatory oration. He began the 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 619 

study of law in Andover, N. H., and died Oct. 27, 1854. He 
was a person of fine ability and excellent character, and his 
early death ended a career which gave promise of great use- 
fulness. 

HOMER ROGERS. 

Homer Rogers, son of Walter and Emily Rogers, was born 
at South Sudbury, Oct. 11, 1840. He studied at Wads- 
worth Academy, entered Williams College in 1858, and 
graduated in 1862. Soon after leaving college he enlisted in 
Company F, Forty-fifth Regiment, M. V. M. At the ex- 
piration of his term of service he taught school one year in 
Douse Academy, Sherborn, and from 1864-6 in Natick 
High School, since which time he has been engaged in 
business. Jan. 15, 1868, he married Ellen E. Perry of South 
Natick, and has seven children. His present residence is 
Boston. In 1888 and 1889 he was elected alderman and is 
at present chairman of the Board. 

HENRY SHAW, M. D. 

Henry Shaw, son of Rev. Linus H. and Louisa A. Shaw, 
was born at Raynham, Sept. 12, 1829. In 1851, he began 
the study of medicine and graduated at Harvard Medical 
School in 1854. For a time he practiced his profession in 
Upton and Leominster, and in 1861-2 he went from the 
former town as a representative to the' Legislature. He was 
subsequently sent by Governor Andrew to Newbern, N. C, 
on a service connected with the care of the Massachusetts 
troops in that vicinity. July, 1862, he received a com- 
mission as acting assistant surgeon in the navy, and served 
in all the blockading squadrons from Mobile to Wilmington. 
In 1865, he was promoted to the next higher rank in the 
medical corps. Leaving the United States service in 1866, he 
practiced medicine for a time in Bedford. In 1872, he be- 
came a visitor in connection with the State Board of Chari- 
ties. He married, in Sudbury, Jane M. Taft of Upton, 
October, 1855, and has five children. He resides in Charles- 
town. 



620 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

JOSEPH A. SHAW. 

Joseph Alden Shaw, son of Rev. Linns Hall and Louisa 
Alden (Jones) Shaw, was born in Athol, Jan. 4, 1836. He 
went to Sudbury in 1845, and in 1853 attended Phillips 
Academy at Exeter, N. H., and graduated July, 1855, in the 
advanced class. The same year he entered the sophomore 
class at Harvard College and graduated in 1858. While at 
college he received a Dexter prize from the Hopkins fund, 
" for remarkable diligence in his studies." In 1858, he be- 
came principal of the New Salem Academy, which position 
he held six years. For sixteen years he has been a teacher 
in the Highland Military Academy, Worcester, Mass., of 
which he is at present the head master. He is a member of 
the American Philological Association, and a contributor to 
the periodicals of the day on the subject of philology. In 

1863, he married Eliza Antoinette Thompson of New Salem. 
He has two children. 

CHARLES THOMPSON, ESQ. 

Charles Thompson, born at North Sudbury, March 6, 
1827, is the eldest son of Nahum Thompson. He fitted for 
college at Concord, and the Pinkerton Academy at Deny, 
N. H. In 1845, he entered Yale College, but was soon 
obliged to abandon his studies on account of a severe sick- 
ness, which left his eyes in a weak condition. After some 
years he studied law, and was admitted to the bar Jan. 20, 

1864. Jan. 15, 1864, he married Emily A., daughter of 
George M. Barrett of Concord. In 1872, he removed to 
Concord, where he now resides and follows his profession. 
He has been special justice of the District Court of Central 
Middlesex since its establishment, and from 1876 to 1885 
was chairman of the Concord Board of Selectmen. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

NATUEAL FEATURES. 

Hills. — Forests. — The Flora. — Ponds. — Brooks.— Sudbury River. — 
Its Rise and Course.— Its Fish. — Poetical Description of Pickerel 
Fishing.— Birds about the River. — Poetical Description of Duck 
Hunting. — Fur Bearing Animals about the River. — Slow Current 
of the River. 

And sweet homes nestle in these dales, 

And perch along these wooded swells ; 
And, blest beyond Arcadian vales, 

They hear the sound of Sabbath bells. 

Whittier. 

In its natural features the town of Sudbury is highly 
favored. There is a good variety of hills, valleys, and plains, 
and these, together with the villages, hamlets, thrifty farms 
and smiling homesteads, give a pleasant variety to the land- 
scape. 

HILLS. 

Those hills my native village that embay 
In waves of dreamier purple roll away. 

Lowell. 

There are several hills in Sudbury of considerable promi- 
nence for a town so near the sea. 

Nobscot Hill. — The most notable of the Sudbury hills 
is Nobscot. This is partly in Sudbury and partly in Fram- 
ingiftm, the larger part being in the latter town. It is about 
five hundred and twenty-five feet above the sea level. The 
summit and sides in great part are covered with woods, but 
the northerly slope has long been an open pasture, greatly 
resorted to for the whortleberries that abound there. This 
slope has generally been known as the " old Nixon pasture," 

621 



622 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

because it contains the site of Gen. John Nixon's house and 
was a part of his farm. The name of this hill is of Indian 
origin, and may be a contraction of the word Penobscot, 
which is found in the earlier records of Sudbury. In 1074, 
" Surveyors were appointed of all the field fences on the 
west side of the great river of the town and Landham, 
Penobscot new mill." Temple says, in the history of Fram- 
ingham, that the meaning of this word is " at the fall of the 
rocks." On the summit are heaps of stones, which perhaps 
were taken there by the Indians for the purpose of building 
a "look out" from which to survey the surrounding country. 
The view on a clear day is charming, reaching from the State 
House on the' east to the far-off hills of New Hampshire. 

Goodman's Hill. — This is another considerable hill, and 
perhaps next in prominence to Nobscot. It is a little south- 
east of Sudbury Centre, and about a half mile from it. The 
westerly side is mostly covered with forests, consisting 
largely of chestnut and oak. This hill was the home of 
Karto or Goodman, from whom it derived its name. (See 
Chapter II.) 

Green Hill. — This is a spur of Goodman's Hill, extend- 
ing south-westerly, and is made historic by Wadsworth's 
fight witli King Philip. On its western slope, for hours the 
English held the Indians at buy, and from its summit they 
were driven at night-fall by the forest fires set by their 
savage foes. (See chapter on Philip's War.) The slope of 
Green Hill or a spur of it extends to Hop Brook meadows. 
Along its western side, on a small plateau, is Mount Wads- 
worth Cemetery. (See chapter on Cemeteries.) The hill 
takes its name from the growth of evergreen trees with 
which it was formerly covered. 

Sand Hill. — This hill is in the easterly part of the town 
adjoining Wayland. In the Revolutionary War, government 
store-houses were built there, and, subsequently, a portion 
of it was used for a training-field and owned by the town. 

Round Hill. — This is a conspicuous, well-defined hill in 
the town's easterly part, and cultivated to its top. It lies 
not far from the river meadows, in the vicinity of Sherman's 
Bridge. Near Round Hill, and just by the junction of Gulf 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 623 

brook and Sudbury River, is Weir Hill, so called from its 
proximity to the place of a fishing weir used by the Indians. 
(See Chapter II.) 

Willis Hill. — This is in the north-westerly part of Sud- 
bury, and takes its name from the Willis family long living 
in that vicinity. It is quite a prominent landmark. A hill 
at the north part, on which a flag-staff was erected during 
the Civil War, has been called for a half century Jones' Hill, 
but in old deeds was called Cedar Swamp Hill. 



FORESTS. 

The soil of Sudbury has, from its settlement, been abun- 
dantly productive in its timber lands, of which it has always 
possessed many acres. The principal trees are the oak, 
pine, chestnut, walnut, maple, white birch and spruce with 
here and there a poplar, elm and hemlock. The first three 
are the most abundant, and, until recently, many acres were 
covered with them. It was so in the west part of the town 
on the farm of the late Paul Walker, near the line of the 
Massachusetts Central Railroad, and on the farm of the late 
Curtis Moore on the line of the Old Colony Railroad, and 
these are but specimens of what was on many farms in the 
town within the last half century. Large quantities of cord- 
wood, mostly pine, were, about forty years ago, carried by 
ox-team to the railroad and factories at Saxonville, and the 
lanes and yards of the Sudbury saw-mills were piled with 
hundreds of large logs to be sawn into boards. Since the 
more general use of coal, less wood has been cut, and prob- 
ably more land is being abandoned to forest now than thirty 
years ago. To our personal knowledge, tracts of country 
that were formerly used for tillage and pasturage are now 
growing up to wood. In some places the growth is rapid, 
about twenty years only being required to obtain a fair 
growth. Chestnut-trees have been abundant on and about 
Goodman's Hill, Nobscot, and some parts of Peakham Plain 
and lands in the central parts of the town. Walnut-trees 
grow abundantly about Nobscot, and to an extent in other 
localities. Black birch is found and other kinds of wood 



624 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

besides these now mentioned, but in far less quantities. 
With wild berries the town is well supplied. Besides grow- 
ing in the open pasture, very frequently when the land 
is cleared of forests the whortleberry and blueberry-bush 
spring up. More or less of the swamps abound with high 
blueberries or bilberries, notable among which are Hayden's 
swamp and the one about Willis Pond. Blackberries grow 
on the plain lands, and the barberry on the rough, stony soil 
of the hills. Strawberries are scattered here and there. A 
place years ago where they were especially plentiful was 
east of the old Lancaster road, between Goodman's Hill and 
Green Hill. 

THE FLORA. 

The following are some of the flowers found in Sudbury. 
The small cow-lily (N-uphar kabnianum), Vitus riparia, trum- 
pet weed (Eupatorium rotundifolium) , mountain rice (_Org- 
zopsis canadensis'), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), trailing 
arbutus (Epigccra repens), the pitcher plant {Sarracenia 
purpurea), meadow beauty (lihexia virginica), buckbean 
{Menyanthes trifoliata), the two orchids, the Pogonia ophio- 
glossoides and the Arethusa bullosa, and Clintonia borealis. In 
some of Sudbury's meadows are found the fringed gentian 
of Bryant {Gtentiana crinita) and the painted cup (Castilleja 
eoccinea). It is also stated on good authority that the flow- 
ering dogwood (Comus fiorida) grows within the town limits. 

PONDS. 

The ponds of Sudbury are small. 

Willis Pond. — This is the largest and lies at the north- 
west part of the town. It is nearly surrounded by forests, 
and is a little lake in the woods. It has an outlet to Hop 
Brook called Run Brook. 

Blandford's Pond. — This is another which is sur- 
rounded by forests. It is situated just west of Hop Brook, 
about midway between South Sudbury and the Willis mill. 
It has an artificial outlet at high water to Hop Brook. 

Bottomless Pond. — This is a small pond near the 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 625 

Marlboro line and has no outlet. (For area of ponds see 
map of 1794.) 

BROOKS. 

Mill Brook. — This stream is next in importance and 
size to the river. It rises in Marlboro, and enters the town 
at its south-westerly part a very small stream, and by a very 
circuitous course emptiqp into the river near Bridle Point 
Bridge (Wayland). Upon its banks are the mills of Howe, 
Pratt, Willis and Parmenter. It is crossed by at least eight 
highway bridges within the town limits, the first being near 
the Wayside Inn. It was early known as Hop Brook, upon 
which stood the Noyes mills, the second built in Sudbury. 
Later, it has had several names, being called at its lower end 
West Brook ; farther up, Lanham Brook ; at South Sudbury, 
Mill Brook ; about the Willis mill, Wasli Brook ; also Piners' 
Brook and Piners' Wash. The lower meadows upon ijhis 
brook were formerly of considerable value, but below Lan- 
ham Bridge they have, of late, largely k been in a condition 
similar to that of the river meadows. The current of this 
stream is naturally rapid away from the various mill-dams, 
and perhaps for this reason it received its early name " Hop 
Brook," as, when clear of obstructions, it may have skipped 
over the stones, especially along the locality of South Sud- 
bury where the fall was considerable. This is the only 
brook in town that affords mill privileges, and in this respect 
it has proved very valuable, having furnished power for both 
saw and grist mills. 

Pantry Brook. — This stream is in the north part of 
Sudbury, and its name may have been a contraction of the 
word pine-tree. It rises in the north-west part of the town 
and empties into the river near Weir Hill. Near its mouth 
it receives as a tributary a small stream called Cold Brook. 
Along this stream are the Gulf meadows, which, before they 
in part shared the fate of the river meadows, produced con- 
siderable hay. Other and smaller brooks are Dudley or 
Trull Brook, which, running from the west part of the town, 
empties into Hop Brook near Blandford's Pond ; and Low- 
ance Brook, whose name is probably a contraction of U A1- 



626 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

lowance," and which, running- from the southerly part of 
the town, empties into Mill Brook between South Sudbury 
and Lanham Bridge. Both of these brooks have been more 
or less fished in for trout. The latter has some considerable 
meadow land, and is crossed by Hunt's Bridge. All these 
streams and ponds abound in fish, mostly of the kind found 
in the river. Besides those mentioned further along are the 
shiner {Stilbe chrysolencas), cheven (JLeuciscus chephalus), 
black sucker ( Catostomus) and the chub sucker, a fish of like 
genus, and also a few trout (Salmo fontinalis). We have 
seen a specimen of the latter that was taken in Mill Brook a 
short distance below South Sudbury mills that weighed nearly 
five pounds. This fish was caught by Mr. Nichols Brown, 
once a famous fisherman and hunter in Sudbury. This is 
the only trout we ever knew of, large or small, taken in Mill 
Brook. 

SUDBURY RIVER. 

All round upon the river's slippery edge, 
Witching to deeper calm the drowsy tide, 
Whispers and leans the breeze-entangling sedge ; 
Through emerald glooms the lingering waters slide. 

Lowell. 

The Indian name of this stream was " Musketahquid," 
meaning grassy meadows or grassy brook. It was also called 
the "Great River." It takes its rise in Hopkinton and 
Westboro, the branch from the latter town having its source 
in a large cedar swamp. Passing through Framingham, it 
enters Sudbury on the south-east, and forms the boundary 
line between it and Wayland. After leaving the town, it 
runs through Concord and borders on Lincoln, Carlisle and 
Bedford and empties into the Merrimac River at Lowell. It 
is made use of for mill purposes at Framingham and Billeriea. 
This river receives but two tributaries of any account from 
the town. One of these is West Brook that empties in at 
Bridle Point Bridge, the other Pantry Brook that flows 
through the Gulf meadows. 

In former times boats passed from Boston through the 
Middlesex Canal to the Concord River, and so to Sudbury. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 627 

(Shattuck's History of Concord.) Within the present cen- 
tury iron ore dug in town was laden in boats at the Old Town 
Bridge and taken to Chelmsford. Near the bridge on the 
east bank, until recently, pieces of the ore could be found. 

The width of this river where it enters Sudbury is about 
fifty feet, where it leaves the town it is about two hundred 
feet ; at the latter place it is one hundred and fourteen feet 
above low water mark at Boston. (History of Concord.) 
Its course is very crooked, seldom running far in one direc- 
tion, but having many sharp curves. The banks are quite 
bare of shrubbery, except the occasional bunches of water 
brush that here and there assist in tracing its course. Fish 
abound in this river, of which the more useful and com- 
monly sought are the pickerel {Esox reticulatus), perch 
(Perca flavescens), bream or sunfish (Pomotis vulgaris), 
horned pout (Pime loduscatus), and common eel (Anguilla 
tenuirostris). The kind most sought for the sport in taking 
is the pickerel. Indeed Sudbury River has become some- 
what noted for the pastime it affords in pickerel fishing. 
Specimens weighing a half dozen pounds are sometimes 
caught. A good description of this sport has been given in 
verse by one of Sudbury's poets, Hon. C. F. Gerry, in a 
poem entitled, " A day on the Sudbury Meadows." 

The clouds drift slowly o'er the sky, 
But dense and black to westward lie, 
Assuring with the east wind's chill, 
A splendid day for pickerel. 



The river gained, we launch our boat 
And slowly down its current float, 

Till, roused, we fish on either shore, 

Still moving with a silent oar, — 

Now trolling with the greatest heed 

Through lily pads and pickerel weed, 

Until a whirlpool near is seen 

Beside a floating mass of green ; 

The bait moves off with race-horse speed, 

And, down beside a quivering reed, 

Is swallowed with a gourmand's greed. 

A twitch sends through my frame a thrill,- 



628 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The hook is fast in the red-fringed gill 
Of a steel and gold-hued pickerel, 
And drawn aboard with hearty will. 
And, as we view him o'er and o'er, 
About his weight we speculate, 
And set him at a pound or more, 
And vainly try to catch his mate ! 

" Meadow Melodies." 

The horned-pout may be caught almost at the rate of a 
peck in an evening, when the water and season are right. 
The fisherman simply ties his boat to a stake in a suitable 
place, perhaps some quiet, snug nook where the waters are 
still, and on a warm night in late spring or summer, between 
the mosquitoes and pouts, his time will be fulby occupied. 

In early times the river abounded in fish now unknown in 
its waters. Of these were the ale wives, salmon and shad. 
The obstructions caused by the dam at Billerica long ago 
prevented these valuable fishes from ascending the stream, 
and petitions were early presented to the General Court to 
have the obstruction removed, on account of the fisheries. 
Shattuck informs us that at certain seasons fish officers of 
Concord went to the dam at Billerica, to see that the sluice- 
ways were properly opened to permit the fish to pass, and he 
states that the exclusive right to the fisheries was often sold 
by the town ; the purchasing party having a right by his 
purchase to erect what was called a weir across the river, to 
assist in fish-taking. Probably not far from "Weir Hill," in 
the north-easterly part of Sudbury, near the mouth of Gulf 
Brook, the Indians caught the fish in this way. 

In the time of migration, various kinds of ducks visit the 
place, and often tarry till the cold weather sends them south- 
ward. The first to come are the blue and green winged 
teal (Anas discors and Anas carolinen&is.') These come about 
the middle of May and September. A little later the dusky 
or black duck (Anas obscura) arrives. This latter bird is the 
most numerous of the ducks that stop about the river in the 
migratory season, and sometimes comes in flocks of one or 
two scores. Besides the kinds mentioned there are others, 
such as commonly inhabit the river courses of New England 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 629 

in the spring and fall. Notable among these are the dipper 
(BucepJiala albeola), and the sheldrake (Mergus americanus) . 
The dipper is generally seen by itself, or in pairs or in flocks 
of but three or four ; but the sheldrake comes in large 
flocks. In the spring, when the floods are high, flocks of 
these birds may sometimes be seen floating majestically at a 
safe distance from the shore, their white plumage flashing in 
the sunlight. Besides the ducks that come in the migratory 
season, there are some that breed on and about the meadows. 
These are mostly the black duck and wood duck (Anas 
sponsa). The latter birds make their nest in some tree in 
the woods and bring their young in their beaks to the water. 
They are seldom found in flocks of more than three or four. 
A few years ago duck hunting was quite a sport on and 
along the Sudbury River. The wet meadows afforded here 
and there a pool or lagoon, where the turf had been torn up 
by the ice and borne away from the spot. To follow a flock 
to these meadow pools, or to watch for their coining from a 
bow house previously made near the place, was a matter of 
pleasurable excitement. The birds are usually more active 
at night-fall or just before an approaching storm. 

The following description of duck hunting on these 
meadows is given by the author in " Fireside Hymns," pub- 
lished in 1888. 

DUCK HUNTING ON SUDBURY MEADOWS. 

When the broad meadows soft, reposing lie 

Beneath the haze of Autumn's mellow sky, 

And the crisp frost of chill, October morn, 

Sparkles in crystals on the ripening corn, 

Then the wild water fowl begin to come 

To streams and ponds, from far-off northern home. 

Along the river that through Sudbury town 

Ranges its course through meadows broad and brown, 

They sometimes tarry for awhile to feed, 

Ere on their southern journey they proceed. 

By day, in flocks, they wing their dusky flight 

High in the air, but at approach of night 

They seek some shallow pool or sheltered bay, 

Where they may rest secure till break of day. 



630 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

But not unnoticed do they always pass 

To snug retreat, amid the meadow grass. 

Traced is their course sometimes by sportman's eye, 

Who knows the reedy cove to which they fly. 

His trusty gun he takes from off the hook, 

And starts at once for the secluded nook. 

His boat is launched from off the shelving shore, 

And glides along with quiet, dipping oar. 

Close to the margin of the stream he clings, 

Where, mid the water brush, the blackbird sings. 

Now the shy muskrat starts with sudden bound 

From off the bank, with harsh and splashing sound, 

That makes the anxious sportsman start with fear, 

Lest upward start the ducks ere he draws near. 

He rows more gently, as he now detects 

Through the tall grass-tops, slowly gliding specks, 

That tell him there the dusky squadron lie, 

All snugly sheltered in the pool hard by. 

And as he listens, lo ! the Quack, Quack, Quack, 

A noise so welcome to his ear, comes back. 

In river bend his little craft he steers, 

As place abreast the pool he slowly nears. 

Then with one long and calculating peep 

Upon the flock, he takes his gun to creep 

A little closer, but ere this he do, 

His fowling-piece he takes to prime anew. 

When all is ready, and the distance right 

To make the shot effective, then keen sight 

He takes along both barrels. Lo, a flash ! 

And fast the deadly missiles hurrying dash. 

At once the startled flock, with sudden fright, 

Rise from the pool to make a hasty flight. 

But stop ! behold again another flash ! 

And yet once more the deadly missiles dash 

Amid the flock, and lo ! the feathers fly, 

And round about the dead and wounded lie. 

Quickly the sportsman springs to seize his prize, 

That flutters there before his eager eyes. 

The wounded first are seized, then all secured, 

He quickly goes to where his boat is moored. 

This he draws up beside the reedy bank, 

Where it is left concealed mid grasses rank, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 63l 

Then he goes back and waits for further flight 

Of birds, to come there ere he leaves it quite. 

Round him the twilight deepens into gray, 

And fast fade out the beams of ebbing day. 

The wet dews, foggy, heavy, damp and chill. 

The night with moisture now begin to fill. 

But soon he starts ! a sound comes through the air. 

'Tis whistle of the wood-duck's wing that's there. 

Quick to his eye his fowling piece is raised, 

The trigger pulled, once more the piece has blazed. 

And still again, from off the meadow land, 

The fluttering bird is seized with eager hand. 

Reloading, he again with listening ear, 

Is all intent, still other birds to hear. 

But hark ! that rushing, whistling, nearing sound 

Shows that a large sized flock flies near the ground. 

Low lies the hunter, nearer comes the flock, 

Upward he springs, and click, click goes the lock. 

Whang! Bang! the charges of both barrels go, 

As swoop the flock in circle small and low. 

The feathers fly, and scattered here and there 

A dusky form is falling through the air, 

While quick with sudden start and wheel and curve, 

The unhurt fowls to other quarters move. 

With loaded hand, but step and heart that's light, 

The sportsman does not wait for further flight, 

But starts at once to launch his waiting boat, 

And soon again he finds himself afloat. 

Stoutly he plies the bending, splashing oar, 

That swiftly bears him towards the sought-for shore. 

Around the curve of river bend he speeds, 

Now dark with bush or overhanging reeds. 

Afar he sees the gleam of distant lamp 

Beyond the meadow's mist, so dark and damp, 

And on the still air now and then is heard 

The whistling wing or night-call of a bird. 

Soon nearer comes the sounds he gladly hears, 

That show him that the causeway road he nears, — 

A sound of travel and of rattling team, 

Which rolls along the bridge that spans the stream. 

Soon he has nearly reached the wished-for shore, 

And slacks his speed and lays aside his oar, 



632 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

Takes carefully his game and gun in either hand, 
Safe moors his boat, and nimbly springs to land. 
With brisk walk, quickly to his home he goes 
To tell his story, as the game he shows. 

Beside the natalores or swimmers there also are found the 
gralatores or waders. Among these the great blue heron or 
crane (Ardea herodias) is quite common, and the green heron 
or " Fly up the Creek " (Butorides virescens) is also seen. 
But the most abundant is the night heron or " Qua Bird " 
(Ardea nyctieorax). A few years ago a colony of these in- 
habited the woods just south of West Brook, and not far 
from Heard's Pond. They built their nests on trees of a 
young growth, and would leave them at night-fall to visit the 
neighboring ponds. In the early evening it was quite com- 
mon to hear the peculiar note, "qua," "qua," "qua," from 
the birds far out of sight overhead, and in the early morning 
they would return to their nesting places, where they would 
generally remain through the day. After a time the colony 
removed a mile or two westward and located in the vicinity 
of the Lowance Meadows. 

Of the bitterns, the stake driver (Ardea minor') is the most 
numerous. The note of this bird so resembles the words 
" plum pudding" that it is called by that name. The least 
bittern (Ardetta exilis) is found sometimes, a fine specimen of 
which we possess, which was shot on the meadow. 

There are also found in their season the snipe, yellow legs, 
plover, sandpiper, rail, and various smaller birds such as fre- 
quent similar localities in this section of the State. Wild 
o-eese sometimes stop for a brief period, but are seldom 
taken. 

The fur-bearing animals about the river are, mainly, the 
muskrat or musquash (Mus zibethieux) and an occasional 
otter. The muskrats are quite plentiful ; as many as a 
dozen or more are sometimes taken in a day, when the high 
water drives them from their cone-shaped houses to the 
causeway. Not an otter has been taken on the river for 
years, although they have sometimes been seen. And no 
beaver has been seen in the memory of the oldest inhabitant, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 633 

although formerly they probably lived there to a considera- 
ble extent. 

A chief characteristic of this river is its slow moving cur- 
rent, which in places is scarcely perceptible at a casual 
glance. This slow current is supposed to be occasioned by 
various causes, any one of which may perhaps be sufficient, 
but all of which at present doubtless contribute something to 
it. The chief reason is its very small fall, which may be 
occasioned by both natural and artificial causes. It is said 
to have but two inches to the mile for twenty-two miles. 
This slow current tends to keep the river from straightening 
its course, and to increase the water weeds that grow in the 
channel. To speak of the river in its general historic con- 
nection is here unnecessary, as in the course of this work 
mention has frequently been made of historic objects and 
events that have existed or transpired in its vicinity. 



CHAPTER XXXVIL 



THE RIVER MEADOWS. 



Width of the Meadows. — Former Productiveness. — Litigation and 
Legislation. — Change in Productiveness. — Causes of it. — Natural 
Features at the Present Time. — Grass. 

Where merry mowers, hale and strong, 
Swept scythe on scythe, their swaths along. 

Whittier. 

These meadows have been notable from an early period. 
They extend, with varying width, the entire length of the 
river course. In some places they may narrow to only a few 
rods, while in others they extend from half a mile to a mile, 
where they are commonly called the Broad Meadows. They 



634 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

arc widest below the long causeway and Sherman's Bridge. 
Comparatively little shrubbery is seen on these meadows, but 
they stretch out as grassy plains, uninterrupted for acres by 
scarcely a bush. At an early date these meadows yielded 
large crops of grass (see Chapter I.), and subsequent years 
did not diminish the quantity or quality, until a compara- 
tively modern date. From testimony given in 1859 before 
a Legislative Committee, it appeared that, until within about 
twenty-five years of that time, the meadows produced from 
a ton to a ton and a half of good hay to the acre, a fine 
crop of cranberries, admitted of "fall feeding," and were 
sometimes worth about one hundred dollars per acre. The 
hay was seldom "-poled" to the upland, but made on the 
meadows, from which it was drawn by oxen or horses. Tes- 
timony on these matters was given before a joint committee 
of the Legislature, March 1, 1861, by prominent citizens of 
Sudbury, Wayland, Concord and Bedford. Their opinions 
were concurrent with regard to the condition of things both 
past and present. The following are testimonies by some of 
the witnesses from Sudbury. 

John Hunt, eighty-two years (p. 105 Printed Report). — 
" I have owned meadows on the Gulf Brook, one or two 
hundred rods from the river. I had care of the " Ministerial 
Lot " on the river ; and the nine years I was out of town, I 
had care of twenty lots below for some years, from 1803 to 
1807. I sold the grass on the former for $10 an acre, stand- 
ing. A great change has since taken place ; I suppose it 
would scarcely pay taxes for some years past. They have 
mortgaged the ' Ministerial Lot ' to pay for it, not getting 
enough to pay taxes. . . . Loring's ' bank meadow,' which, 
when I was a boy, was worth $100 an acre, is not now worth 
$10. A horse could then be taken to the river shore, you 
could not now get near the river for the water. Where I 
have in the low meadows fished standing dry, it is now over 
my head. There are fifteen or twenty acres in this meadow. 
When I was fifteen, it produced the best of meadow grass — 
a kind of red-top, resembling, though not the same as the 
upland red-top — there is none of that, and not much except 
coarse grass, and poor — some of what we call sedge. There 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 635 

was not much poling then ; then they took the horses to 
the river. They now pole it as far as I know. . . . The 
other lands in the same neighborhood suffer ; cattle were 
turned in there for fall feed, as long ago as I can remember. 
It was quite an item to farms adjoining ; nobody now sends 
them for fall feed. Cattle could then go on the shore ; for 
years these floods have entirely destroyed the cranberries. 
My land on the Gulf Brook, has been torn up by freezing 
and breaking up." 

William Stone, seventy-two years (p. 108). — "I bought, 
forty-three years ago, a meadow on the Sudbury River, close 
to the meadow mentioned by Mr. Hunt. When I bought it 
I used to get the hay almost every year. There were two 
acres of shore, and the rest, where the water came on, was 
such a meadow as I never saw, producing pipe and lute grass. 
I used to get a ton and a half per acre. I used to drive 
across the meadow to water my team. I mowed it about 
twenty years ; I began then to find the water came over. I 
built a causeway across, but the water seemed to stay. I 
tried to pole the hay out, but it cost too much. I sold it for 
$110 for eleven acres. At first it was worth to me $80 per 
acre. The water seemed to go away only by evaporation. 
... I have seen cattle getting fall feed on the meadows ; not 
even a man could now go there without miring." 

William Rice, seventy-seven years (p. 109). — "I have 
always lived in sight of the meadows — I had seven acres, 
and the same in another place, separated by the road. I 
inherited the land. Blue grass and pipes grew there — 
there were other kinds of hay, good for meadow hay. We 
considered the river meadow hay, the best meadow hay — 
the quality is now affected. Sedge and water grass, of little 
value, now grows, which is used for cattle bedding. The 
lots have grown softer ; we could go on with a team gener- 
ally. I have known times when we did not pole a cock of 
hay. I have rode a horse over the meadow. I don't know 
when they could go on without rackets of late years. Rack- 
ets were not in fashion in the olden times. They used to 
drive the cattle on for fall feed, but have not for twenty or 
thirty years. They have not been fed there much for forty 



636 HISTORY OF STJDBURY. 

years. I do not own the meadow now, I gave it away two 
or three years ago. The meadows have been growing softer, 
as a general thing, for thirty years." 

J. P. Fairbanks, thirty-three years (p. 131). — "I own 
meadow land ; none runs clear to the river, but is on the 
4 Gulf and 'Broad Meadows' . . . The 'Broad Meadows' 
are entirely worthless since I have owned them. From 
1500 to 2000 acres in the ' Broad Meadow ' are of about the 
same level. Not much, if any, of the grass on the ' Broad 
Meadows ' has been cut of late years. The best of my cran- 
berry vines are on the ' Broad Meadow ; ' but for the water, 
a bushel of cranberries to the rod could be obtained ; ... if 
the water should be off we could get good crops ; they are 
now worth 811 or $12 a barrel. ... In high flood we get 6 or 
7 feet of water all over the 'Broad Meadows.' The water 
is on them most of the year." 

From such evidence it appears that a great and gradual 
change in the condition of the meadows came after the year 
1825. The main cause alleged for this changed condition 
was the raising of the dam at Billerica. This dam, it is said, 
was built in 1711 by one Christopher Osgood, under a grant 
for the town of Billerica, and made to him on condition that 
he should maintain a corn-mill, and defend the town from 
any trouble that might come from damages done by the mill- 
dam to the land of the towns above. In 1793 the charter 
was granted to the Middlesex Canal, and in 1794 the canal 
company bought the Osgood mill privilege of one Richard- 
son, and in 1798 built a new dam, which remained till the 
stone dam was built in 1828. As indicating that the dam 
has from time to time been raised, we give the testimony 
quoted from the argument of Hon. Henry F. French, before 
the Legislative Committee, March 1, 1861. 

Jonathan Manning. — " In 1798 I helped build the dam. 
There was a dam previously there, — what some call a zig- 
zag dam, — leaky and not very high. The dam I helped 
build was higher than the former one. They made rafts to 
bring timber from the Merrimac, and there was not water 
enough to fill the canal " (p. 77). " I should think, from the 
difference in the height of the water, that after we made the 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 637 

new dam, the dam must have been raised from nine to twelve 
inches. I think it made the water about a foot higher in the 
canal" (p. 80). 

Herman Bay. — " New flash-boards were on the dam in 
1817" (p. 168). 

Theophilus Manning. — " After the dam of 1798 was built, 
they were obliged to put something upon it to fill the canal. 
A foot and a half was put on. They call it a figure four. 
In 1800 the flash-boards were on " (p. 169). 

Daniel Wilson. — " In 1820 or 1821 they put timber and 
flash-boards on the dam of 1798, thirty inches high" (p. 266). 
It would be difficult and take too much space to give a 
full and extensive account of the litigation and legislation 
that has taken place in the past near two centuries and a 
half, in relation to this subject. It began at Concord as 
early as Sept. 8, 1636, when a petition was presented to the 
court, which was followed by this act : " Whereas the in- 
habitants of Concord are purposed to abate the Falls in the 
river upon which their towne standeth, whereby such townes 
as shall hereafter be planted above them upon the said River 
shall receive benefit by reason of their charge and labor. It 
is therefore ordered that such towns or farms as shall be 
planted above them shall contribute to the inhabitants of 
Concord, proportional both to their charge and advantage." 
(Shattuck's History of Concord, page 15.) In 1644, Nov. 
13, the following persons were appointed commissioners: 
Herbet Pelham, Esq., of Cambridge, Mr. Thomas Flint and 
Lieut. Simon Willard of Concord, and Mr. Peter Noyes of 
Sudbury. These commissioners were appointed "to set 
some order which may conduce to the better surveying, im- 
proving and draining of the meadows, and saving and pre- 
serving of the hay there gotten, either by draining the same, 
or otherwise, and to proportion the charges layed out about 
it as equably and justly, only upon them that own land, as 
they in their wisdom shall see meete." From this early date 
along at intervals in the history of both Concord and Sud- 
bury, the question of meadow betterment was agitated. 
At one time it was proposed to cut a canal across to Water- 
town and Cambridge, which it was thought could be done 



638 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

" at a hundred pounds charge." Says Johnson, " The rocky 
falls causeth their meadows to be much covered with water, 
the which these people, together with their neighbor towne 
(Sudbury) have several times essayed to cut through but 
cannot, }^et it may be turned another way with an hundred 
pound charge." In 1645, a commission was appointed by the 
colonial authorities (Col. Rec. Vol. II. page 99) " for ye btt r 
and imp'ving of ye meadowe ground upon ye ryvr running 
by Concord and Sudbury." In 1671, a levy of four pence an 
acre was to be made upon all the meadow upon the great 
river, " for reclaiming of the river that is from the Concord 
line to the south side, and to Ensign Grout's spring." Later, 
a petition was sent by the people of Sudbury, headed by 
Rev. Israel Loring, for an act in behalf of the meadow 
owners. But legislation and litigation perhaps reached its 
height about 1859, when most of the towns along the river 
petitioned for relief from the flowage. The petition of Sud- 
bury was headed by Henry Vose and signed by one hundred 
and seventy-six others; and that of Wayland by Richard 
Heard and one hundred and sixteen others. On April 6, 
1859, a joint commission was appointed, to whom the petition 
was referred. The committee met, and ordered publication 
of notice for the hearing in five different newspapers in Bos- 
ton and Lowell. As data of evidence in the case, a careful 
survey was made of the premises along the river, the water 
gauge accurately taken by competent engineers, and a com- 
plete report rendered thereon. 

After thirty days devoted by the committee to investiga- 
tion, on the 27th of January, 1860, the report of five hundred 
pages was submitted to a second joint committee appointed 
by the Legislature of 1860. This committee reported that 
the findings of the committee of the year before are sustained 
by the evidence, and that it appears that the dam at Billerica 
"is an efficient cause of the flowage of nearly 10,000 acres 
of the most valuable meadow land in the eastern section of 
the State," and that " this immense injury to those lands 
has been gradually accomplished by the canal corporation 
under their charter, without the payment of a single cent 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 639 

of damages to any land owner for the injury." (See Ho. 
Doc. No. 221, argument of Mr. French.) 

A bill was reported for the removal of the dam, and passed 
by the Legislature. It was entitled " An Act in Relation to 
the Flowage of the Meadows on Concord and Sudbury 
Rivers." It provided that the governor, with the advice of 
the council, might appoint three commissioners with author- 
ity to remove thirty- three inches of the dam across the Con- 
cord River, at North Billerica, at any time after the first day 
of September 1860, and that when the same was so removed 
it should not be again rebuilt. 

Time was considered necessary for the mill owners to put 
in steam, and the act was changed so as to leave six feet, 
two inches of their dam. An injunction was obtained from 
the Supreme Court, but the Legislative enactment was sus- 
tained. An effort was made in 1861 to have the act repealed. 
Thus strenuous have been the efforts to have the dam at 
Billerica lowered. In the contest able counsel has been em- 
ployed on both sides, among whom are Judge Abbott and 
Benjamin F. Butler, Esq. ; skillful engineer service has also 
been made use of. 

For any one to attempt with great positiveness to clear up 
a subject which has perplexed legislators and lawyers, might 
be considered presumptuous. It is safe, however, to say that 
while there is evidence showing that the meadows were 
sometimes wet in the summer at an early period, they were 
not generally so ; it was the exception and not the rule. It 
was a sufficient cause of complaint if the settlers had their 
fertile lands damaged even at distant intervals, since they so 
largely depended upon them ; but the fact that they did de- 
pend on them, and even took cattle from abroad to winter, 
indicates that the meadows were generally to be relied upon. 
Certain it is that, were they formerly as they have been for 
nearly the last half century, they would have been almost 
worthless. Since the testimony taken in the case before 
cited, these lands have been even worse, it may be, than be- 
fore. To our personal knowledge, parts of them have been 
like a stagnant pool, over which we have pushed a boat, and 
where a scythe has not been swung for years. Dry seasons 



640 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

have occasionally come in which things were different. 
Such occurred in 1883, when almost all the meadows were 
mown, and even a machine could in places cut the grass. 
But this was such an exception that it was thought quite re- 
markable. For the past quarter century people have placed 
little reliance upon the meadows ; and if any hay was ob- 
tained it was almost unexpected. This condition of things 
in the near past, so unlike that in times remote, together 
with the fact of some complaint by the setlers, and an occa- 
sional resort by them to the General Court for relief, indi- 
cates that formerly freshets sometimes came, but cleared 
away without permanent damage to the meadows. At times 
the water may have risen even as high as at present. It is 
supposed that at an early period the rainfall was greater than 
now, and that because of extensive forests the evaporation 
was less. The little stream that may now appear too small 
to afford adequate power to move saw and grist-mill ma- 
chinery, may once have been amply sufficient to grind the 
corn for a town. But the flood probably fell rapidly, and the 
strong current that the pressure produced might have left 
the channel more free from obstructions than before the flood 
came. Now, when the meadow lands are once flooded they 
remain so, till a large share of the water passes off by the 
slow process of evaporation. The indications are that some- 
thing has of late years obstructed its course. As to whether 
the dam is the main and primal cause of the obstruction, the 
reader may judge for himself. Before closing this subject, 
we give other quotations from the argument of Mr. French. 

avery's soundings on bars in 



On line "A. B." near dam, 

On line " C. D." Fordway, one mile from 
dam, 

At Barrett's Bar, one half mile below Con- 
cord N. Bridge, eleven miles from dam, 

At Junction of Assabet and Concord, 

Bar below Sherman's Bridge, fifteen miles 
from dam, 

Bar at Canal Bridge, Wayland, twenty-one 
miles from dam, 



ST CONCORD 


RIVER. 




Depth of Water 
on Bars. 


Depth of Bar below 
Bolt & 1 'am. 


3.92 feet 


:j.ll feet. 


3.26 " 


2.29 


« 


1.91 " 


1.22 


it 


2.05 " 


1.56 


« 


2.4.5 " 


1.00 


u 




.39 


(( 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 641 

Commenting upon the data of the report, the counsel goes 
on to state as follows : " Add to these depths of the bars be- 
low the bolt, which is the top of the dam, the depth of water 
on the dam, and you have the least possible depth on these 
bars, when the dam is full. But we must in fact add much 
more to those depths, because water requires some fall to 
give it motion. The more crooked the stream the more ob- 
structed by weeds and bushes and logs, and the more rough 
the channel the greater is the fall required to move the water. 
Mr. Avery's surveys show how the water deepens as he goes 
up the river, till he finds a fall in all of forty-five inches in the 
distance. The dam prevents ang improvement. Being higher 
than anything else in the river for twenty-one miles, if every 
bar was cut out, and the channel made into a canal, the 
water must remain higher than any of the bars. The land 
owners expect and desire to improve the channel, which is 
rapidly filling up with weeds and deposits of sand and mud. 
Formerly they could do this to some extent. Of late years 
the greater height of water has prevented, and unless the 
dam is reduced their case will grow worse and worse. With 
the great increase of water and the obstructed channel, and 
this dam higher than any other object in the whole river, 
their condition is hopeless. Reduce the dam thirty-three 
inches, the water will fall proportionably on all these bars, 
which may be then cut out, and the river may be brought and 
kept within its banks in the growing season. ***** 
I will only add that if any man is bold enough to assert that 
the bars in this river prevent the water from flowing off the 
meadows, and that the dam, which is by actual level higher 
than any of these bars, has no such effect, he is welcome to 
all the votes he can obtain from sane legislators for the re- 
peal of this act." 

We will now turn our attention to a few things regarding 
the natural features that the later condition of the meadows 
have brought about. It is said to be an ill wind that blows 
nobody any good, and it may be that some new attractions 
have been afforded these lands that were not possessed of 
old. Sometimes when the flood is up, the large expanse of 
water with its irregular margin flashing in the sunlight, adds 



G42 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

great beauty to the landscape. The meadow at certain 
seasons, when in this condition, furnishes excellent fishing 
ground for such as take fish with the spear in the night-time. 
On mild spring nights the fish resort to the warm, shoal 
waters near the uplands, where, all unsuspicious, they are 
found by the wary fisherman, as with light dipping oar his 
boat glides over the flood. The outfit for such fishing is a 
small boat capable of carrying two persons, with an iron 
frame-work or "jack " set on an upright rod at the bows to 
hold the fuel or torch which is usually made of old pine 
stumps, and a six-pronged spear with an eight-foot handle. 
With this apparatus on a still night the fisherman sets out. 
The margin of the upland is followed, and at one time the 
boat glides by open fields or pasture lands, at another darts 
beneath the deep shades of an overhanging wood. Every 
now and then, at a signal from the spearsman at the bow T s, 
the boat is " slowed up," the spear poised in the air for an 
instant, then a clash, and up comes the fish. The frequent 
flowage of the meadows, it is supposed, has caused the 
"punk holes," so called, to which wild water fowl resort, 
while the clogged channel with its sluggish stream may have 
made the place a favorite haunt for the pickerel. Thus 
beauty and utility in some ways have resulted from the 
present condition of the meadows. 

GRASS. 

Various kinds of grass grow on the meadows, which are 
known among the farmers by the following names : " pipes," 
"lute-grass," "blue-joint," "sedge," "water-grass," and a 
kind of meadow " red-top." Within a few years wild rice 
has in places crept along the river banks, having been 
brought here perhaps by the water fowl, which may have 
plucked it on the margin of the distant lakes. 






CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

ZOOLOGY AND GEOLOGY. 

To him who in the love of Nature holds 
Communion with her visible forms, she speaks 
A various language. 

Bryant. 

FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. 

Chief among these, except those mentioned in connection 
with the river meadows, are the fox, rabbit, squirrel, wood- 
chuck, skunk and weasel. 

RARE BIRDS. 

Besides the smaller birds most common in the vicinity, 
and those mentioned in connection with the meadows, are 
the rose-breasted grosbeak QG-uiraca ludoviciana), indigo bird 
(Cyanospiza cyanea), scarlet tanager {Pyranga rubra) and 
red start (/Setophaga ruticilla). Of late, the purple finch 
(Carpodacus purpureus) has become quite common. A few 
years ago, in a hard winter, a flock of pine grosbeaks (Pini- 
cola canadensis) visited the town. Sparrows, vireos, flycatch- 
ers, thrushes and warblers abound. Of the larger kinds, not 
considered game-birds though considerably hunted, are found 
the grackles (Quiscalinae), pigeon woodpecker (Calaptes 
auratus) and meadow-lark (Jftumella magna) ; hawks, crows 
and jays are frequent, and the latter have been so destruc- 
tive that, at different times, a bounty has been paid for them 
by the town. 

GAME-BIRDS. 

The most common of these and the most sought after is 
the partridge or ruffed grouse (JBonasa umbellus), the quail 
(Ortyx virginianus) and the woodcock (Philohela minor). 

643 



644 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

The grouse and quail vary in numbers with the nature of 
the season ; the former being favorably affected by a dry 
summer and the latter by a warm winter. Quail a quarter 
of a century ago were quite scarce, but of late years they 
have been more numerous. To shoot a half dozen partridges 
in the best of the season is now considered but a fair day's 
work for a good hunter, and so it has been for the past 
fifty years, such being about the average day's work of Sud- 
bury's old hunter, the late Nichols Brown. Woodcock have 
become quite scarce, very few being found except in the 
migratory season. Formerly they nested in town, but this 
is now unfrequently done. Fifty years ago the wild pigeon 
(Eetopistes migratoria) was abundant in Sudbury, a favorite 
locality being Peakham Plain. Considerable numbers were 
caught in nets ; grain was scattered upon a small space of 
ground, over which, when the birds had alighted to feed, a 
net was sprung by a sapling which was artfully adjusted for 
the purpose. Dozens were taken in this way, but the bird 
is now scarcely seen in the town. (For fish, see chapter on 
Natural Features.) 

GEOLOGY OF SUDBURY. 

BY GEORGE H. BARTON, S. B. 

In the history of a town as well as of a country, it is fitting 
that a few words at least should be devoted to its geology. 
For geology is in itself a series of records enabling us to 
trace the history of our globe back into the past far beyond 
any human records. So far, indeed, does it carry our knowl- 
edge backward, that the very earliest traces of human history 
are only as the deeds of yesterday as compared with the 
ages that elapsed before man made his appearance on the 
earth. 

In order to understand the geology of an isolated political 
division of the country, such as forms a town, it is necessary 
to have a general understanding of the geology of the country 
of which it forms a part. The United States is a fair repre- 
sentative of the world, furnishing within its area a more or 
less complete record from the earliest known ages to the 
present time. Here, in geological development, as it is in 




RESIDENCE OF GEO. E. HARRINGTON. 






History of stjdbury. 645 

human, time is naturally divided into certain grand divisions 
or eras, each marked by its own peculiar characteristics. 
The natural divisions coincide with the development of life 
from the lowest and most humble forms in the beginning to 
the high and varied ones of to-day which have finally culmi- 
nated in man. Thus, as in human history, we have the An- 
cient, Mediaeval, and Modern Periods, in geology we have the 
Eozoic, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Genozoic eras. 

In the records belonging to the first of these, the Eozoic, 
which means the dawn of life, we catch faint, glimmering 
traces of the condition of the world at that time. We see, 
indistinctly, a globe covered with an almost universal ocean, 
with here and there occasional islands rising above the 
general waste of waters grouped in such a way as to fore- 
shadow the continent which was to take their place. As 
time went on during this era land continually arose from 
below the surface of the waters till before its close the 
embryo continent was formed. 

As the name implies, the first beginnings of life are here 
found, but they are nothing definite, they are only strong 
indications. With our present knowledge we know of no 
method by which large beds of iron ore, or large beds of 
graphite, can be formed except by the agencies of organic 
life. As such beds are abundant in the Eozoic they furnish 
grounds for the belief that life existed then in some little 
abundance. 

Then limestones, which are largely made up of the accum- 
ulations of the remains of animal life, are abundant in this 
series of rocks. In connection with these latter rocks occurs 
a peculiar structure which has been thought by some high 
authorities to be the remains of a low order of animal life 
and to which the name of Eozoon, or dawn animal, has been 
applied. 

However the question of life in the Eozoic era may finally 
be settled, we find the next era, the Palaeozoic, a term mean- 
ing ancient life, beginning with an abundance of the lower 
forms of life in the waters, though we find no evidence of its 
existence upon the land. Some of these forms were quite 
highly organized, one being about the same as the horse-shoe 



646 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 



crab of to-day, and this would cause us to believe that life 
must have existed for ages before to have arrived at this 
stage of development. 

From the beginning of Palaeozoic time to the present there 
is estimated to have elapsed about thirty-five millions of 
years. The Eozoic is supposed to have comprised at least 
as many years. 

The Palaeozoic has three main sub-divisions, which may 
be known as the Age of Invertebrates, during which life 
consisted entirely of marine forms of animals and plants 
of the lower orders, except toward its close when fishes and 
a few land plants appeared ; the Age of Fishes, when these 
first vertebrates predominated and sharks ruled the seas, 
when the continents first became covered with forests such 
as we find in the tropics to-day, and insects appeared as the 
first land-animals ; and finally the great Coal Age, when the 
continent was covered with the dense growths of tropical 
forests which after ages of accumulations have given the coal 
beds of to-day, which have furnished such an important factor 
in the progress of our national life. 

During all this time the continent had been steadily 
growing in a westerly and southerly direction, till the shore 
line, which at the beginning did not extend in either direc- 
tion further than the limits of the State of New York, had 
reached on the south into Mississippi and west into Missouri 
and Kansas, with large islands in the area now occupied by 
the Rocky Mountains. 

In the third of the grand divisions of time, the Mesozoic, 
middle life, there is found a great change from the preceding 
ages. Huge reptiles of unwieldy form and bulk predomi- 
nated over the life both in the sea and on land. Birds inter- 
mediate in form between the reptiles and birds of the present 
day also appeared, and toward its close the first faint fore- 
shadowings of the trees of our present forests. The climate, 
which at the beginning of this era had been tropical through- 
out the world, had at its close become much like our present 
climate, being only a few degrees warmer. 

From the beginning of the Mesozoic to the present time 
from fourteen to seventeen millions of years have elapsed, 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 647 

and of these eight or nine millions at least were comprised 
in the Mesozoic. 

In the Cenozoic, recent life, which began at the close of 
the Mesozoic and still continues, we have mammals the pre- 
dominating form of life, and somewhere in very recent 
geological time the introduction of the human race. 

Then Cenozoic has two main sub-divisions, the Tertiary 
and the Quaternary. The latter is again divided into three 
divisions : the Glacial, Champlain and Terrace. These three 
it is necessary to notice somewhat more fully. The Glacial 
Epoch is due to certain conditions that caused the entire 
northern portion of our continent to be covered with a sheet 
of ice which over New England reached a thickness of more 
than six thousand feet, sufficient to cover our highest peak, 
Mt. Washington. It reached so far south as to entirely 
cover New England, and its southern termination can be 
marked by an irregular line drawn through New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, etc. 

This ice sheet had a constant tendency to move south- 
ward, and in doing so transported with it all the loose mate- 
rial which had previously covered the surface of the country 
in the shape of decomposed rock, soil, boulders, etc. At the 
same time it ground down, smoothed and polished the sur- 
face of the rocks over which it passed, leaving it in many 
cases with a high polish, but almost invariably accompanied 
by scratches or grooves on the polished surface which are 
nearly always parallel to each other and have a nearly con- 
stant direction of S-30-E. 

A large portion of the loose material, the earth or drift as 
it is usually termed, was eventually deposited below the ice, 
which passed over it and thus compacted and hardened it 
till it became nearly as hard and as tough as the rocks them- 
selves. This consists largely of tough, tenacious blue clay, 
somewhat filled with more or less rounded boulders, bearing 
upon their smoothed sides the same striations we find upon 
the smoothed ledges. This portion is known as the lower 
drift. 

The remaining portion of the loose material was borne 
upon the surface of the ice or incorporated in its mass, and 



648 HISTOEY OF SUDBURY. 

when the ice sheet melted and disappeared was left as a thin 
covering - over the surface of the lower drift and is known as 
the upper drift. The boulders found in connection with this 
are angular and show little or no signs of wear. 

A prominent feature of the lower drift are the hills known 
as drumlins which are very numerous in some sections, very- 
rare in others. They are round, oval, or lenticular in shape, 
are largely made of blue clay, and contain no ledges, except 
in some cases just at their bases. The upper drift covers 
them with a thin mantle similar to the other surface. 

The melting of the ice sheet gave rise to a large amount 
of water, which caused large rivers, lakes, and floods, both 
upon the surface of the ice and the country. This worked 
over the materials of the upper and lower drift, exerted a 
sorting action upon them and deposited them anew in the 
three separate forms of gravel, sand and clay. The old river 
channels were filled with floods, and large masses of the 
gravel and sand accumulated in them, while the clays were 
carried away by the rushing water. Upon the surface of the 
ice rivers wore channels in which accumulated pebbles usu- 
ally from an inch to a foot in diameter. As the ice melted 
these were left upon the surface of the country as long and 
very narrow ridges, often known locally as Indian ridges, to 
which the term Kame has been applied. 

As the waters of the Champlain Epoch subsided the 
streams cut down into the beds of gravel and sand they had 
previously deposited in their broad valleys, and thenceforth 
ran in narrower channels leaving marked terraces on one or 
both banks, hence giving the name of the Terrace Epoch, 
which still continues to the present day. 

Before considering the special geology of our town it will 
be well to speak briefly of that of our State as a whole, that 
we may better understand the general relations of our town. 
Nearly the whole of Massachusetts is composed of rocks 
formed during the Eozoic era, but not belonging to its oldest 
divisions. Nearly the oldest of the Palaeozoic, in the Age of 
Invertebrates, is represented by the area known as the Bos- 
ton Basin, extending from Medford, Maiden, etc., on the 
north, to Brain tree, Quincy, etc., on the south, and from the 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 649 

ocean on the east to Waltham on the west. The Age of 
Fishes is not represented. The Coal Age is represented by 
an area extending into the State from Rhode Island, in Attle- 
boro, Mansfield, etc. The Mesozoic era is represented by 
the red sandstones of the Connecticut Valley, in which have 
been found numerous evidences of the reptilian life of that 
time, and by the trap ridges which form Mts. Tom, Holy- 
oke, etc. 

Then in the Cenozoic we have the entire State covered 
with its mantle of drift, in some places very thin, in others 
reaching a thickness of three to four hundred feet, as in the 
southeastern portion of the State. 

Now in regard to the special geology of our town. The 
formation which underlies it is made up of a series of crystal- 
line rocks, approaching a dark granite in general appearance, 
which are included in two divisions, diorite and diabase, 
but so intimately are these mixed that it is not convenient 
to separate them, and with these are a series of quartzites 
and baked slates. The crystalline rocks are of volcanic 
origin, and in those early ages were probably erupted 
through and between the layers of quartzite and slate which 
had been formed by deposition under the waters of the sea. 
These rocks all belong to a period somewhere near the mid- 
dle of the Eozoic, and from that time to the glacial epoch we 
have no records to tell us of the history of the town. We 
know that long before the latter time the Sudbury River had 
hollowed its channel out of these hard rocks and was flow- 
ing nearly in its present position on the eastward of the 
town. That Nobscot and Green Hills were prominent ob- 
jects in the topography, but that Plympton's Hill, the hill at 
the Centre, Cutting's Hill, and those near Alfred Thomp- 
son's, Parker Fairbank's, and Andrew Haynes' had no exist- 
ence, as we shall see later. 

As a whole, Sudbury is a somewhat sandy town, but there 
are certain areas that are quite rocky. In the north of (In: 
town Captain Jones' small hill, and the high lands north of 
Cold Brook and west of the railroad arc composed of out- 
crops of the crystalline rocks previously mentioned. The hill 
between Patrick Lyons' and Calvin Morse's is also largely 



650 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

of rock. In the area hounded generally by the road, from 
Plympton Hill to the river on the north, the river meadows 
on the east, the Central Massachusetts Railroad on the south, 
and the road from South Sudbury to the Centre on the west, 
is the largest series of continuous outcrops in the town. In 
the extreme south, Nobscot rises a solid mass of rock to its 
summit. There are many other places where small ledges 
outcrop, but not of sufficient importance to mention in this 
short paper. 

Much of the rock shows stratification, which in some cases 
is due to its formation in layers under water, in others to 
successive sheets of lava flowing over each other. Wherever 
this is shown the prevailing direction is about north-east, 
south-west. 

The rocks at Newbury, containing the ores mined there 
some years ago, have the same general trend, and belong to 
the same series. This has caused some search for ores, but 
nothing of importance has been found, though just over the 
line in Concord digging was carried on to some depth, show- 
iug the presence of some lead and silver, but not enough to 
be of any economic value. 

A small amount of limestone is found just to the east of 
the so-called county road on the north bank of Cold Brook. 
At some time in the past it has been burned for lime, traces 
of the burned fragments still being found, but beyond the 
memory of any one now living. In this I have found slight 
traces of the structure, eozoon. 

So far as my knowledge extends there is no rock in Sud- 
bury that will ever admit of extensive quarrying for build- 
ing purposes. 

In turning our attention to the drift we find that to it are 
due many of the features of our landscape. Over many 
portions of the town the lower, upper and modified drift 
forms a considerable thickness, but there are no means of 
measuring its depth. 

Those interesting features of the lower drift, the drumlins, 
are well represented. Perhaps the two more typical ones are 
the ones known as ( 'ut ting's Hill in the northwest portion of 
the town, and the one a half mile west of Sherman's bridge 



HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 651 

on the Sudbury River known as Fairbank's or Round Hill. 
The former represents the typical lenticular hill, its longer 
axis running a little north of west, the latter is nearly circu- 
lar in outline. On the line between Sudbury and Concord 
is a (somewhat large one, on the top of which is the residence 
of Andrew Haynes. On the old county road, about a mile 
and a half north of the centre of the town, is a complex mass 
made up of two or three drumlins united together. Upon 
the crest of the lowest is situated the residence of the late 
Aaron Hunt, while the larger ones rise directly back of A. 
N. Thompson's. Plympton's Hill and the hill directly back 
of the Unitarian Church and Town Hall are also well-marked 
examples. There are also many other small elevations in the 
town belonging to this type but not worthy of special notice. 
The southern portion of the town seems to be quite free from 
them, though I am not familiar with the extreme southwest 
corner. 

The upper drift does not need particular mention, though 
some portions of the better soil of the town are furnished by 
it. Boulders of sufficient size to attract attention are rare, a 
single prominent one being situated" on the road leading from 
the Town Farm to the Centre on land belonging to the town. 
There are a few others scattered in the woods away from the 
roads. 

The modified drift is an important factor, furnishing the 
sand-plains which are the most objectionable feature from 
an economical standpoint. Of these Peakham Plain is the 
largest, and this is but a portion of the large plain continued 
west into Marlboro, Hudson and Stow. To this belongs all 
the area south of the Maynard line, and stretching to the foot 
of Nobscot, while on the east it is bounded by an irregular 
line, in some cases reaching nearly to the Old Colony Rail- 
road. Other smaller but well-marked areas occur scattered 
over the remainder of the town, one extending along the 
north road from the Pratt Tavern to the Old Colony Rail- 
road and about a mile southward, another to the eastward of 
the residence of the late Andrew Hunt, and a third north- 
ward from George Taylor's along the river meadows. Id the 
Peakham area are several small sheets of water such as 



652 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

Willis Pond, Bottomless Pond, etc., which probably owe 
their origin to large masses of ice having been left there, 
around which the sand was deposited by the currents, and 
later as these masses of ice melted they left the hollows 
which now hold the ponds. 

Kames are not well represented in our town, though there 
is one very typical example crossing the road directly in 
front of the house of Elbrit Goding, and continuing north- 
ward immediately to the east of the road till reaching the 
northern boundary of the town. This same gravel ridge ex- 
tends northward nearly through the town of Acton. South- 
ward it does not cross the north road so as to be plainly seen, 
though there are traces of it nearly as far south as the Way- 
side Inn. 

In the southern part of the town another kame begins 
just south of Lanham Brook, and east of Sewell Hunt's, and 
runs generally parallel to the road toward Framingham till 
it crosses the boundary of the latter town. 

Now in conclusion, taking a hasty review, we see that our 
town is situated in that part of America that appeared above 
the waters of the ocean in the earliest ages, and thus ranks 
in age with not only nearly the oldest parts of America but 
also of the world ; that from that time to the present it has 
remained above the sea, forming a part of the dry land of the 
continent, and hence, though there are no records of all 
those vast ages preserved, it has witnessed all the grand 
panorama of the development of life ; that during the ice age, 
which was only about ten thousand years ago, its topography 
was very much changed and nearly all its hills, which till 
then had no existence, were formed, and that it was at the 
close of this latter age that so much of its territory was 
buried beneath the sand that causes several large areas to be 
scarcely worthy of cultivation. Immediately at the close of 
the ice age, if not before, primitive man began roving over 
the country, and then geological is united with human his- 
tory. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Public Bequests. — Action of the Town relative to the Publication of 
the History of Sudbury. — Preparations for the Observance of the 
Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the 
Town. 

Till at last in books recorded, 

They like hoarded 

Household words, no more depart. 

Longfellow. 

BEQUESTS. 

The " Goodnow Library Fund," $20,000, donated by John 
Goodnow. The " Samuel D. Hunt Fund, $1,000 ; the in- 
come of this fund is to be distributed among the poor, sick, 
and needy, who are not inmates of the almshouse or other- 
wise assisted by the town. Accepted, Nov. 3, 1874. The 
"Elisha Goodnow Fund," $4000; the income of three- 
quarters of this is to be distributed in substantially the same 
manner as the " S. D. Hunt Fund ; " and the income of the 
other fourth is to be used in the purchase of books for poor 
children attending the public schools. The " Jerusha Howe 
Fund," $1000 ; the income to be expended in fuel for the 
industrious poor. The " Ancient Donation Fund," $453.78 ; 
given to the town by Joshua Haynes, two-thirds of the in- 
come to be used for the poor, and one-third for schools. A 
considerable portion of the original fund last named has been 
lost by bad investment. The " George Goodnow Fund," 
$10,000 ; the income to be used for the industrious poor not 
otherwise assisted by the town. Accepted, November, 1884. 
The " Henry Plympton Fund," $250. The " George Good- 
now Fund," $400. The "Lois Hunt Fund," $500. The 
income of the last three are to be used for cemetery purposes 
or improvements. 

Total amount of bequests, $37,603.78. 

653 



654 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

ACTS RELATIVE TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE HISTORY OF 

SUDBURY. 

The subject of publishing a History of Sudbury was first 
brought before the town at a meeting held Nov. 4, 1862, 
under the following article : — 

" To see if the town will take any measures to have a his- 
tory of the town written." 

The result was that a committee, consisting of Dr. Levi 
Goodenough, Rev. Limus H. Shaw and Charles Thompson, 
Esq., was appointed " to consider the matter and report at 
some future meeting what action, if any, may be advisable 
for the town to take in reference to said subject." This 
committee made a verbal report April 6, 1863, and were au- 
thorized to make arrangements with Mr. Andrew Ward of 
Newton to prepare a history of the town. Mr. Ward com- 
menced the work, but soon afterwards died. The subject 
was again brought forward, March 6, 1876. A committee 
composed of Steven Moore, Jonas S. Hunt, and Richard R. 
Horr was appointed to consider the matter and report at a 
subsequent meeting. Their report was submitted to the 
town and accepted April 3, 1876. The following is a part of 
this report : — 

" Your committee believe that when this ancient Town 
has its history compiled it should not be done hastily, but 
with care and skill, and with such research as may be neces- 
sary to such a history as will not only be a matter of satis- 
faction but of pride to the town. As the history of Sudbury 
is also a history of Wayland to a comparatively recent date, 
it seems proper that she should be consulted as to the pro- 
priety of uniting with us in the preparation of the joint his- 
tory of the two towns, at least to the time of their separation. 
It is therefore recommended that the town choose a com- 
mittee whose duty it shall be to ascertain if Wayland will 
unite with Sudbury in having a joint history of the two 
towns prepared ; to collect such material as they may be able, 
and report their doings at November meeting, with estimates 
of the probable cost of the completed work." This report 
was accepted by the town, and the committee making it were 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 655 

continued in office and authorized to take such action as they 
thought proper to carry forward the recommendations con- 
tained in their report. The chairman of the committee soon 
after left town and no further action was taken in the mat- 
ter. March, 1885, a committee consisting of Capt. James 
Moore, Jonas S. Hunt, Esq., and Horatio Hunt was ap- 
pointed "to confer with Rev. A. S. Hudson in regard to a 
publication of the History of Sudbury." April 6, of the 
same year, the committee reported to the town the result of 
their interview. This was in part that the work be devoted 
to the annals of the town, but not any part of it to genealogy 
as it is usually inserted in books of this kind. 

April 2, 1888, the town " voted to publish not less than 
750 copies of the History as written and compiled by Rev. 
A. S. Hudson, and to pay him $1500 for his services in writ- 
ing and superintending the publication of the work ; and 
that the Trustees of the Goodnow Library be a committee 
associated with him to have charge of the publication of the 
work." The town also voted at the same meeting $1500 for 
the publication. The names of the library Trustees are as 
follows: Hubbard H. Brown, Atherton W. Rogers and Edwin 
A. Powers. 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRA- 
TION. 

At a meeting held November 1888, the town voted to peti- 
tion the Legislature for permission to grant money to be ex- 
pended in the observance of the 250th Anniversary of the In- 
corporation of Sudbury. Permission having been obtained, 
at a subsequent meeting the sum of three hundred dollars Avas 
appropriated, and a committee was appointed to make and 
carry out such arrangements as would be appropriate to the 
proposed celebration. The committee consisted of Jonas S. 
Hunt, Rufus H. Hurlbut and Edwin A. Powers, who were 
to cooperate with a committee from Wayland, and the joint 
committee were to act for the two towns. 

The joint committee met at Sudbury and organized with 
J. S. Hunt for chairman, and R. T. Lombard, Esq., of Way- 
land for secretary. The following outline of a plan was pro- 



656 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

posed, and left open subject to change if deemed expedient 
before the day arrived. 

1. A gathering of the children of the two towns at Way- 
land on the morning of Sept. 4, when entertainment and a 
collation would be furnished. 

2. A return by railroad at noon to South Sudbury, when 
a procession will form and march to Sudbury Centre. 

3. Dinner in the Town Hall. 

4. Speaking from a platform on the Common, if the day is 
fair, and, if not, in the Unitarian Church. 

5. Fireworks and music in both towns, with ringing of 
bells morning and night. 

It was voted to extend an invitation to Hon. Homer 
Rogers of Boston, to act as president of the day ; to Richard 
T. Lombard, Esq., of Wayland, to serve as chief-marshal ; and 
to Rev. Alfred S. Hudson of Ayer, to deliver the oration. 

Ample opportunity was to be provided for addresses by 
speakers from abroad, who are expected to be present and 
assist at the celebration. 



CHAPTER XL. 

CONCLUSION. 

In concluding a work of such magnitude and importance, 
we naturally pause and reflect over the long, long stoiy of 
the past, before we leave its pages and close the history. 
Many notable events have been considered, and many promi- 
nent persons have been brought to view, who long since 
passed away. Successive periods have been presented in 
order, from the beginning of our existence as a town, until we 
come to a generation amid which we live and of which we 
are an actual part. It may be difficult to comprehend the 
changes that the years have wrought, but a passing glance at 
the chief of them indicates that the town has had a varied 
experience. First, we behold a small number of settlers 
making their homes amid the woodlands of a new country. 
They clear fields, erect homesteads, and let in the light of 
civilized life ; but the scene is soon changed ; shadows 
darken the prospect, the town is invaded by Indians, and 
all its resources are brought into requisition to preserve its 
existence. The conflict passes, and there are years of peace. 
Again the settlement is disturbed by war, and again peace 
follows. The town makes progress in the succeeding years, 
and then again, comes a season of strife. Thus alternate 
sunshine and shadow have played on the scene as the years 
have advanced, giving to the town a history of mingled pros- 
perity and adversity. But through all these changes it has 
maintained a steady growth and developed a more substantial 
character by these rockings by the storm. As we look back 
over the scenes of its history there is much for which to bo 
grateful. 1. That our ancestors were of such sterling worth. 
Few, if any, New England towns perhaps are more favored 

657 



658 HISTORY OP SUDBURY. 

in this respect. The record of their actions is evidence that 
they did not emigrate to this country as mere aimless or 
reckless adventurers, but as men with worthy purposes. 
They evinced a perseverance in subduing the soil and a 
fortitude in meeting the privations of pioneer life that is 
commendable in a large degree. Their faith, zeal and stead- 
fastness in the service of God, and their reverence for things 
sacred is prominently noticeable in the records ; and upright- 
ness in their dealings is indicative of like theory and prac- 
tice. 2. That the town has had such a wholesome and far- 
reaching influence. Town after town received from Sudbury 
some of its early settlers, and in this process of colonization, 
a formative influence was carried forth by her citizens, which 
has strengthened and widened as the years have rolled by. 
3. That the town has never shrunk from bearing its part in 
the burdens of the country at large. In peace and in war, it 
has stood ready to meet all the demands that have been made 
upon it. Even when its own borders were imperiled it did 
not refuse to furnish aid to others if needed ; and the long 
muster-rolls and the enactments of town meeting are evi- 
dence of its patriotism. 4. That to so large an extent the 
traits of the fathers have been transmitted to their posterity. 
This may be due to the comparative stability of its popula- 
tion. Generation after generation occupied old homesteads, 
and, with the lands, the characteristics became as heirlooms 
in old families. While we have these things for which to be 
grateful, it is also gratifying to contemplate the historic 
character of the town. Although, hitherto, it has been con- 
sidered historic, yet as we have noticed consecutively and in 
detail its prominent events, we are more and more convinced 
of the importance of its history. The story of the past is 
associated with its hills and valleys and plains and streams. 
Its fields have been fields of battle, its soil contains the bones 
of the fallen. King Philip once strode over its territory, and 
there he was stayed in his devastating march towards the 
sea. The highways of the town were trodden by the militia 
and minute men on their way to oppose the British at Con- 
cord. The town's common land was their place of parade, 
and from its belfry sounded the call to arms. 



HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 659 

Thus the God of our fathers has blest us by giving such 
founders of our town, by bringing us safely forth from the 
vicissitudes and exposures and perils of two hundred and 
fifty years, and by the benign influences of the institutions 
that our ancestors established and maintained. From the 
faith of our fathers that was God-given, and that clung so 
closely to his Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, has come the 
prosperity, the integrity, the worth of our town, and the 
wholesomeness of its far-reaching influence. ""Praise God 
from whom all blessings flow," should be our general acclaim ; 
and together with this devout ascription should be the culti- 
vation of a cherished purpose to maintain and perpetuate what 
of good the past has bequeathed. To do this requires the 
use of the same means which our ancestors employed in pro- 
curing this good, namely, a reliance on God and His word, a 
reverence for the Sabbath and love for His church. The 
Bible to our fathers in the wilderness was literally " the man 
of their counsel." By it they were led in their daily duties, 
comforted in the time of calamity, and strengthened in the 
hope of " a better country, that is, an heavenly." Next to 
the Author of all good we should bear in grateful remem- 
brance the privations and hardships endured by our ancestors. 
Our sunny hillsides and fields were cleared by their toil : let 
these be objects that quicken to gratitude. Let the places 
that are designated as historic be suggestive of their depriva- 
tions. As from the far-reaching and silent past survive the 
signs of its many changes, may we take knowledge that these 
are indicative of changes yet to be. It is a law of human 
destiny that one generation passeth away and another cometh. 
The old burial places were once new ; and the town's inhab- 
itants when they set them apart provided as they believed 
for a far-distant future. That future has come and gone, and 
they who looked forward to it have joined the silent proces- 
sion in their march to the city of the dead ; and among the 
moss-covered stones and monuments, strangers scan the in- 
scriptions for their names and fragmentary scraps of family 
history. The new cemeteries will one day be as the old, the 
resting-place of the generation that set them apart; and in 
the years that are yet to be, and which to some it may be are 



660 HISTORY OF SUDBURY. 

in a distant cloud-land, the stranger will look for and read 
other epitaphs, even those which tell of our history. 

The paths we travel may be closed and new ones opened, 
which stranger feet will tread. New dwellings, new man- 
ners, and new men will be here, and we shall be "only 
remembered by what we have done." May we then so live 
that our lives will be associated with as much of good, our 
memories with as much affection, as those which we have 
been considering. It is the desire of the author that the 
record of the past, which is contained in this history, be 
helpful in this respect to ourselves, to our families, and to 
those who shall come after us. 



ERRATA. 



On page 15, read Edmund for Edward. 

On page 22, line 20, read Massachusetts for Narragansetts. 

On page 34, line 30, read Goodnow for Haynes. 

Pages 35 and 36. The farm of William Browne at Nob- 
scot was not the two hundred acres allowed him by special 
grant of the General Court and referred to on page 62, that 
land being situated at the north-west corner of the town. 

On page 58, line 9, read south for north. 

On page 70, line 17, read (W. by S.). 

On page 116, line 16, read twenty-five for twenty. 

.On page 167, lines 2 and 3, read and an ancestor of Dr. 
Moore formerly president, etc. 

On page 212, line 17, read Watertown for Weston. 

On page 274, line 29, read Stow for Stowe. 

On page 355, line 23, date wrong. 

On page 389, line 37, read Fairbanks for Forbush. 

On page 399, Haynes for Hamynes. 

On page 409, line 5, read June 17th. 

On page 487, line 38, read 1855 for 1857. 

On page 494, line 28, read north-easterly for northerly ; 
line 31, read Noyes for Haynes. 

On page 609, line 38, read horse for house. 

On page 634, line 1, read between for below. 

List of Illustrations, No. 6, read Brigham for Haynes. 



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